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Saint Louis Athletica goalkeeper Jillian Loyden wins the ball in the air over a determined Frida Ostberg.

Boxscore (all statistics contained in this boxscore are unofficial)

CHICAGO, IL (May 23, 2009) – The Chicago Red Stars were shutout for the third consecutive game Saturday, falling 2-0 to Saint Louis in front of 4,461 at TOYOTA PARK.

Athletica may not have had many opportunities during Saturday night’s WPS contest against the Chicago Red Stars at Toyota Park but the chances they did get they made count. And the chances the Red Stars got Athletica goalkeeper Jillian Loyden made count.
 
Loyden denied Chicago in the 17th minute with a dramatic save against Brazil’s Cristiane. Karen Carney struck a perfect corner kick that Cristiane headed on goal but Loyden was able to get a hand to it and push it over the top of the cross bar. The save was the first of what would prove to be a very productive night for Athletica’s deputy keeper. Loyden faced six Chicago shots on goal and turned away each one, three of which were goal bound chances.
 
“It was certainly a change of pace from practicing everyday,” said Loyden. “But the transition was so easy thanks to my teammates and the coaching staff. I am just on cloud nine I am so excited.”
 
The game stayed scoreless going into the 26th minute with very little going towards either teams net until Eniola Aluko struck. Aluko was able to use her speed on the left wing to turn the corner on Chicago’s back line. As she came in to the edge of the six-yard box she found herself one-on-one with Red Star Goalkeeper Caroline Jonsson. Aluko’s attempted pass to Kerri Hanks deflected off Ifeoma Dieke and over Jonsson before falling on the other side of the goal line.
 
“I was one on one with the defender and I knew if I got past her I would be in a dangerous position,” said Aluko. “I got around her and was trying to put the ball in a dangerous spot and luckily for me it deflected off of her and went in.”
 
In tonight's match, Saint Louis was without Lori Chalupny and Hope Solo (U.S. National Team duty), Melissa Tancredi (Canadian Team National Team duty), and Kia McNeill (serving a one game suspension). Chicago was without four regular starters as well, Carli Lloyd, Lindsay Tarpley, Megan Rapinoe, and Marian Dalmy.

The absences of star power seemed to bother Athletica less as Saint Louis kept up the pressure and took a commanding 2-0 lead minutes before halftime. Aluko was again involved. This time driving home a powerful right-footed shot from 10 yards out on a ball that Kendall Fletcher had struck and which fell to Aluko.
 
“Typical strikers goal,” stated Aluko. “Ball fell to me perfectly and I just tried to put it away.”
 
Loyden kept Athletica ahead just minutes earlier. England’s Karen Carney found space outside the arc of the penalty area and drove a blistering left-footed shot towards the top shelf. Loyden again got a hand to the ball and pushed it over.
 
In the second half, Chicago outshot Athletica by a 12-5 margin overall and put six shots on goal, all of which Loyden handled. The second half would see no chances on goal for Athletica. In fact, Athletica managed only one shot on goal the entire game (Aluko’s scorer) and only took five shots in total for the whole night. 
 
The Red Stars best opportunity of the second half came late as Frida Ostberg made a bid to get Chicago back in the game. A rare glimpse of open space in Athletica’s back line allowed Ostberg to drive in a shot from just inside the penalty area on the right wing that Loyden kick saved as she went to the turf. The save preserved the shutout for Loyden and Athletica. Who have now posted back-to-back shutouts for the first time the season.
 
“We were in a similar situation to Chicago, we lost our first two games,” said Barcellos. “We were able to find our game today and get three points away from home.”

Aluko was again involved. This time driving home a powerful right-footed shot from 10 yards out on a ball that Kendall Fletcher had struck and which fell to Aluko.  

“Typical strikers goal,” stated Aluko. “Ball fell to me perfectly and I just tried to put it away.” 

Loyden kept Athletica ahead just minutes earlier. England’s Karen Carney found space outside the arc of the penalty area and drove a blistering left-footed shot towards the top shelf. Loyden again got a hand to the ball and pushed it over. In the second half, Chicago outshot Athletica by a 12-5 margin overall and put six shots on goal, all of which Loyden handled.

The second half would see no chances on goal for Athletica. In fact, Athletica managed only one shot on goal the entire game (Aluko’s scorer) and only took five shots in total for the whole night.  

The Red Stars best opportunity of the second half came late as Frida Ostberg made a bid to get Chicago back in the game. A rare glimpse of open space in Athletica’s back line allowed Ostberg to drive in a shot from just inside the penalty area on the right wing that Loyden kick saved as she went to the turf. The save preserved the shutout for Loyden and Athletica, who have now posted back-to-back shutouts for the first time the season. 

“We were in a similar situation to Chicago, we lost our first two games,” said Barcellos. “We were able to find our game today and get three points away from home.”

The match featured the return of Red Stars forward Danesha Adams and midfielder Heather Garriock from injuries.  Both entered as substitutes at halftime, but Garriock logged just eleven minutes before re-pulling a muscle in her leg and leaving the game.  Natalie Spilger also left the Chicago lineup in the 78th minute after a head-to-head collision with Saint Louis’ Kerri Hanks.  Spilger did not return to the game.

Athletica is now on a two game winning streak and undefeated in their last four. The win moves Athletica into a fifth place tie with Chicago. Chicago and Saint Louis are even on points, goal differential, and wins. Washington moved into fourth-place with a 2-1 win over Sky Blue FC on Saturday.
 
Athletica are next in action on Saturday May 30 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California when they take on the Los Angeles Sol. Game time is 7pm ET / 4pm PT.  The Chicago Red Stars will be on the road to face league-leaders Los Angeles Sol on Wednesday, June 3, at 10:30pm ET / 7:30pm PT.

Boxscore (all statistics contained in this boxscore are unofficial)