Portland Thorns FC wrapped up its preseason schedule by blanking the University of Arizona 6-0 Saturday night at North Kino Stadium in Tucson, Ariz.
For the second straight preseason match, forward Jodie Taylor opened the scoring for Thorns FC, while midfielder Allie Long and trialist forward Kelsey Haycook both added first-half goals. Trialist midfielder Taylor Comeau tallied a brace with back-to-back goals in the second half, while trialist midfielder Kelley Monogue tallied the sixth, and final, goal of the match in the 89th minute.
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In the 25th minute, midfielder McCall Zerboni hit a hard, low-driven shot through traffic from the edge of the box that was re-directed by Taylor from close range with a back heel to open the scoring for Portland. Just four minutes later, midfielder Sinead Farrelly picked out Long running into the box with a low pass and Long finished in stride inside the bottom, right corner in the 29th minute to put Portland in front 2-0.
Skyscraper Blues
The final four goals of the match were all scored by trialists. Haycook tallied the third goal of the first half in the 40th minute, cleaning up the rebound on a shot by Long that was deflected back into the box. In the second half, Comeau scored from distance in the 76th minute and added second tally with a header off a corner kick by Long in the 80th minute. In the 89th minute, Bennett played a long through ball into space for Monogue down the right side and Monogue cut back across her defender and slotted the ball inside the left post.
The Thorns FC used twenty players for the second straight match as Portland registered 32 shots (17 on goal), while holding Arizona to just one shot attempt. Thorns FC also recorded 14 corner kicks in the match. Having so many trialists not only play key minutes, but score goals is a plus for Portland as many of them may end up on the reserve squad and may eventually get a late June/early July call up to alleviate personnel losses during the World Cup.
Kicking off the 2015 National Women’s Soccer League season, Portland plays host to the Boston Breakers on April 11 at Providence Park; kickoff is set for 7 p.m. (Pacific).
Portland Thorns FC vs. University of Arizona (Preseason Match)
March 28, 2015 – North Kino Stadium (Tucson, Ariz.)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
Portland Thorns FC 3 3 6
University of Arizona 0 0 0
Scoring Summary
POR – Taylor (Zerboni), 25
POR – Long (Farrelly), 29
POR – Haycook, 40
POR – Comeau, 76
POR – Comeau (Long), 80
POR – Monogue (Bennett), 89
Misconduct Summary
n/a
Lineups & Stats
POR: GK Michelle Betos (Nadine Angerer, 45); D Courtney Niemiec (Tessa Andujar*, 60), D Kat Williamson (Alyssa Kleiner*, 60), D Emily Menges, D Kendall Johnson (Kate Bennett*, 60); M Sinead Farrelly (Sarah Robbins, 60), M McCall Zerboni (Taylor Comeau*, 60), M Allie Long, M Mana Shim (Kelley Monogue*, 60); F Kelsey Haycook* (Hanna Terry, 60), F Jodie Taylor (Sarah Jackson*, 60)
* indicates trialist
TOTAL SHOTS: 32; SHOTS ON GOAL: 17; FOULS: 6; OFFSIDES: 1; CORNER KICKS: 14; SAVES: 0
ARIZ: GK Rachel Estopare (Lainey Burdett, 45); D Hayley Estopare, D Alexa Montgomery, D Sheaffer Skadsen, D Hannah Stevens (Cali Chrisler, 72); M Jaden DeGracie, M Laura Pimienta, M Gabi Stoian (Hannah Wong, 86), M Lexe Selman (CeCe Bilginer, 36); F Paige Crouch (Jazzy Simmons, 77), F Tores Gates (Charlotte Brascia, 45) (Priscilla Pimienta, 84)
Substitutes not used: GK Alison Gondosch, GK Sarah Harelson, GK Jackie Bollinger
TOTAL SHOTS: 1; SHOTS ON GOAL: 0; FOULS: 8; OFFSIDES: 1; CORNER KICKS: 1; SAVES: 11
Referee: Nat Stewart
Assistant Referees: Jeremy Riley, Alicia Messer
Weather: Sunny, 90 degrees