Vancouver Whitecaps FC women opened their two-match road trip with a bang, as they downed Colorado Force 2-0 Friday night at Loveland Sports Park in Loveland, Colorado.
A solid team effort was highlighted by two goals from rookie forward Jenna Richardson, as the 18-year-old became the first player in team history to score twice on her United Soccer Leagues W-League debut. Both goals were set up by fellow attacker Carrie Patterson.
Coach Hubert Busby Jr. showed no hesitation in giving young Richardson her first start, telling whitecapsfc.com, "Jenna is one of the reasons why we invest in our own youth program, and she's a great example of what young players can aspire to. We have complete confidence in her knowing what she can do, especially coming off a great year at Oregon State University, where she was Pac-10 Freshman of the Year." The previous two seasons, Richardson was a prolific scorer with Whitecaps FC Prospects in the Pacific Coast Soccer League, netting a remarkable 32 goals in 28 games.
Just two minutes into the match, W-League goalscoring leader Tiffany Weimer almost got Whitecaps FC off to a perfect start, but shot wide after beating Force goalkeeper Hannah Clark.
Richardson then opened her account on 33 minutes. Some nice passing by the 'Caps saw Patterson play it ahead to the young speedster, who used her pace to pull away from her markers and calmly slot it past the keeper.
Whitecaps FC out-shot their hosts eight to zero in the opening 45 minutes, and led 1-0 at the break.
Vancouver struck again shortly after the restart. Patterson did well to play it for Richardson, who found enough space in the box to fire in her historic second goal of the night on 47 minutes.
Goalkeeper Jaclyn Dunnett, making her second straight start, was rarely tested in recording her second straight shutout. She came up big however on 76 minutes, with a superb diving save off a blast from Brittany Garrett.
In the end, it was a very convincing victory for Whitecaps FC. Busby was very pleased with his team's performance, saying, "the players came out very determined, and applied high pressure on them throughout the game. It was a group effort and a good result."
With the win, Vancouver's record goes to 6W-1L-1D, moving Whitecaps FC back into a tie for first place with Santa Clarita Blue Heat in the W-League Western Conference standings. The Force, meanwhile, fall to 1W-3L-1D.
Whitecaps FC concludes their road trip on Sunday against Colorado Rush in Denver. The team's next home match is Friday, June 24, against Pali Blues at Surrey's Newton Athletic Park. That game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. PT. The match is part of the Whitecaps Women's Soccer Series presented by Kia - in partnership with the Girls Metro Soccer League - and is being hosted by Surrey FC Pegasus. Tickets for all home games are available online for just $12 at www.whitecapsfc.com/wtickets.
Scoring Summary:
33' - VAN - Jenna Richardson (Carrie Patterson)
47' - VAN - Jenna Richardson (Carrie Patterson)
Match Stats:
Shots: Vancouver 13 - Force 5
Saves: Vancouver 1 - Force 7
Fouls: Vancouver 8 - Force 3
Corners: Vancouver 5 - Force 1
Offsides: Vancouver 7 - Force 1
Cautions:
none
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
35.Jaclyn Dunnett; 7.Tina Romagnuolo, 4.Lexi Marton, 3.Shannon Woeller; 18.Monica Lam-Feist, 22.Kelsey Hood, 8.Tiffany Weimer (25.Ciara McCormack 78'), 14.Keshia Wallin; 20.Jen Stoltenberg, 21.Jenna Richardson (11.Alysha Bonnick 78'), 17.Carrie Patterson (6.Amy Vermeulen 60')
Subs not used: 29.Kristen Funk, 10.Tseng Shu-O, 15.Krista Kruse, 16.Julie Armstrong
Colorado Force
0.Hannah Clark; 2.Jenifer Thomas, 7.Brittany Kinmond, 8.Erin Gunther, 17.Kristen DeDycker; 11.Alex Cousins (9.Brittany Garrett 65'), 12.Lisa Forbes, 15.Madison McQuilliams, 18.Rebekah Patrick; 4.Carly Bolyard (20.Daniela Molina 33'), 22.Danielle Birdsall (13.Samantha Pena 33')
Subs not used: 1.Kirstin Salminen, 19.Lexi Tagen, 21.Larissa Campos, 23.Stephanie Sandino
