August 13, 2022 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Racing Louisville FC News Release
Faced with the tall task of competing with only 10 players for 48 minutes, Racing Louisville FC fought to a well-earned 0-0 draw against the Houston Dash in the Texas heat on Friday night at PNC Stadium.
Houston outshot Racing, 15-3, and had 28 touches in Racing’s defensive area, but Louisville held strong after defender Satara Murray was sent off with a red card, thanks to gritty defending and nine saves from goalkeeper Katie Lund.
“I’m extremely proud of the fighting spirit in the second half,” Racing coach Kim Björkegren said. “We said, ‘Let’s break this game down into three time (periods)’ – 45 minutes to 60, 61 to 75, 76 to stoppage time. We did a really good job, and we did our best from the sides to coach them and help them. It was a really good performance when it comes to hard work and discipline, especially in the second half.”
The draw for Racing (2-6-8, 14 points) extends the squad’s winless streak to 11 games, but it was Louisville’s eighth point from eight road games this season. Racing has tied four of its last five matches.
“It was very tough,” said midfielder Jaelin Howell. “Playing away, hot and humid, playing with 10 players – we definitely had to grind it out and come together, work hard. Obviously we don’t want to be in that position, but it happens. To come out with a point, we fought pretty hard for that. But we want to start getting on that winning track.”
On Friday, the visitors started on the back foot, withstanding a handful of early Houston attacks. Racing midfielder Savannah DeMelo cleared a Houston opportunity off the goal line in the third minute. Two minutes later, Lund made a waist-high save to her right when Dash striker Ebony Salmon broke loose for a breakaway.
Racing grew into the game after the first 20 minutes, but Murray’s second yellow card and dismissal required a change in strategy. Louisville ultimately produced 10 won tackles and 31 clearances in the team effort to keep Houston scoreless, using Julia Lester as Murray’s replacement at center back alongside Gemma Bonner after Lester started out on the right wing.
On a night when scoring opportunities were hard to come by, star fullback Emily Fox, who was named player of the match for Racing, had the best chance, fizzing a 20-yard right-footed shot beyond the far right post.
Racing controlled large portions of the second half despite playing down a player, growing in…