Backup Jill Loyden Shines In Athletica Victory

Midwest teams St. Louis Athletica & Chicago Red Stars continued building their rivalry when they met for the second time this season.

Due to this evening's US Women's National Team's friendly v. Canada, both sides were without several of their national team stars. St. Louis was without Lori Chalupny, Hope Solo, and Melissa Tancredi. While Chicago was without the services of Carli Lloyd, Lindsay Tarpley, Megan Rapione, and Marian Dalmy.

The national team call-ups ensured that many substitutes would finally get their chance to shine.

Entering Saturday's match Athletica's backup goalie Jill Loyden had yet to record a minute of playing time. Of course that shouldn't be too surprising considering she's the backup to the best women's goalkeeper in the world, Hope Solo. So some would say Loyden had something to prove to the world on Saturday night & she did just that. She faced six shots on goal, three being legitimate scoring opportunities.

Loyden's first big save came in the 17th minute when Chicago's Christiane redirected a corner kick from Karen Carney which Loyden was able to reach back and tip over the bar.

Athletica took the lead shortly after when right back Kendall Fletcher played a ball down the line to on running Eniola Aluko who carried the ball to just outside the 6yd box and fired a cross into the crowd which deflected off Red Stars defender Ifeoma Dieke and into the back of the net. The gaol was credited to Aluko as she was the last Athletica player to touch the ball

Loyden had her second big save of the game in the 38th minute when Chicago's Karen Carney cut into center & fired a shot at the top of the arc that Loyden again was able to tip over the bar.

Just two minutes later Aluko finished off what would be Athletica's only shot on goal of the match. Kendall Fletcher struck the ball which deflected off a Red Stars defender and to the foot of Aluko who hammered it home.

The second half was filled with Red Stars chances led by Karen Carney and Frida Ostberg. Chicago outshot St. Louis 12-5. Athleticamoved into a fifthplace tie with Chicago after their 2-0 victory Saturday. They will try ton continue their winning streak next Saturday (May 30) as they take on the LA Sol at the Home Depot Center at 6pm Central.

Other WPS Matches:
Freedom 2 Sky Blue 1
Sol 2 Gold Pride 0

The Next Athletica Home Match has been moved from Saturday June 6th to Sunday June 7th @ 3pm. It is KomenSt. Louis For the Cure Breast Cancer Awareness night. This Match, along with the remainder of the home matches will be played at the AB Soccer Park in Fenton, MO.

Moving the remainder of the matches to the Soccer Park will save Athletica a lot of money. They were paying SIUE for the use of their grounds on a match by match basis. The Soccer Park was donated to St. Louis Soccer United by Anheuser-Busch when AB was taken over by Inbev this past year.

St. Louis Soccer United is operated by Jeff Cooper, who also owns the Athletica. Therefore the Athletica will play at the Soccer Park free of charge. The Soccer Park is the most well known soccer venue in the area, if you couldn't tell by its name "The Soccer Park" & the location is better for those on both sides of the river.

Photo is property of Womens Professional Soccer and ISI Photos