Lou Fusz Athletic WPSL had an action-packed weekend as they hosted back-to-back home games, securing four points on the weekend with one tie and one win.
Friday Game Recap
On Friday, June 2nd, LFA opened the weekend with the first home game of the season against cross-town competition, Saint Louis Scott Gallagher WPSL (1-0-2). The club provided an exciting atmosphere for the matchup with over 200 fans coming to support local soccer. SLSG opened the scoring early with a goal in the 6th-minute from Hannah Larson (Saint Louis University). However, Larson’s collegiate counterpart, Emily Gaebe, wanted in on the action. Gaebe, an LFA alumna and Saint Louis University forward, found the back of the net for LFA in the 47th minute equalizing the game.
The action didn’t stop here as SLSG’s Aubrey Mister went bar down in the 56th minute to double SLSG’s score line. The two teams battled back and forth until the 92nd minute of stoppage time when LFA’s Logan Racine tied the game with her second goal of the season off a header inside the penalty area. A minute later, LFA’s Gracie English nearly secured the win for LFA with a chance that went just wide of the far post.
The match ended in a 2-2 draw with both teams having several quality opportunities throughout the match. The two teams will meet again on June 14th at SLSG Soccer Park for the second leg of this exciting STL derby.
Saturday Game Recap
Despite playing the night before, LFA came out the next day hungry for the first win of the season.
On Saturday, June 3rd, LFA hosted Kansas City’s Sunflower State SC (1-2-1) in a scorching summertime game consisting of 96-degree heat. LFA established their victory early with three first-half goals. Emily Gaebe found the back of the net in the 6th minute off an assist from SIUE forward Kaitlyn Nichols. Sunflower State SC answered in the 25th minute with a goal from Mackenzie Demarco.
Nevertheless, LFA’s Maggie Duggan (University of Southern Indiana) responded just four minutes later. The midfielder launched one into the back of the net off a layoff from Elizabeth Bayer (McKendree University) to take the lead. At a score of 2-1, Emily Gaebe, combined with LFA teammate Lyndsey Heckel (Saint Louis University) in the 42nd minute, for her third goal of the weekend. After a quiet second half, the game ended with a score of 3-1 resulting in LFA’s first-ever win in WPSL history.
Looking Ahead
LFA is back in action this Thursday, June 8th, at 7:30 pm vs AFC Columbia (0-3-0). The game will be held at the Lou Fusz Athletic Complex on Field 1 and General Admission will be $5. Come support women’s soccer and wear your LFA jersey for free admission! Don’t forget to follow @loufuszsoccer and @loufusz_wpsl on Instagram and Twitter for updates all season long.