March 26, 2023 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Racing Louisville FC News Release
Racing Louisville FC’s Jess McDonald and Houston Dash’s Marisa Viggiano on game day
(Racing Louisville FC)
Racing Louisville made National Women’s Soccer League history in a 0-0 season-opening draw on Sunday at Houston, starting a lineup that featured a player from six different continents.
The Louisvillians started five newcomers and produced a solid performance in the Lone Star State, shutting out the Dash, a playoff team last season, at Shell Energy Stadium. Goalkeeper Katie Lund made seven saves in her seventh career shutout.
“Overall, it was a close game,” Racing coach Kim Björkegren said, “and a fair result, even if you always want to win. It’s a decent start with one point away in Houston.”
Defender Carson Pickett, one of the five new Racing players who started, called her team’s effort “something we can really build on.”
That Racing posted a clean sheet with a reconfigured defensive back line stood out. Team captain Jaelin Howell, a key figure as a holding midfielder in front of Louisville’s defense, missed the game because of a tweaked hamstring. Finnish international Elli Pikkujämsä started in Howell’s position, and Rebecca Holloway slotted into Pikkujämsä’s usual spot as a central defender next to Abby Erceg.
Björkegren said Erceg was “our best player on the pitch” playing in front of Lund.
“I just feel so comfortable with those four (defenders) that it makes my job easier,” Lund said. “They worked their tails off. (Houston) had a bit of speed up top tonight, but they worked their absolute tails off to not let anyone get past them, blocking shots, getting lined up when we needed to. I’m really pleased and happy with the back line’s performance tonight.”
Louisville outshot Houston, 17-15, and both teams had a number of good chances.
Racing nearly took the lead on several occasions in the first half. Savannah DeMelo’s well-struck shot in the 12th minute required a leaping save from Houston goalkeeper Jane Campbell, who made five stops in the game. New signing Uchenna Kanu, who just joined the team last week, narrowly missed from the edge of the area in the 15th minute and again almost scored midway through the second half on a half-volley from 16 yards out.
In the 32nd minute, Racing’s best chance of the night fell to Brazilian midfielder Ary Borges, who one-timed a right-footed shot wide after Pickett’s pass from the end line slipped past multiple…
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