Louisville salvages tie with Red Stars on Emina Ekic’s late banger

The Chicago Red Stars and Racing Louisville FC played to a 1-1 draw Saturday night, splitting points in the Challenge Cup standings.

Chicago got off to a quick start, with Mallory Pugh whipping in a cross for Amanda Kowalski at the back post to put the Red Stars up 1-0 in the seventh minute.

Pretty ball from out wide - Chicago is on the board 🔥@ChicagoRedStars | #MKOT pic.twitter.com/1UZd56tRpR

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) April 16, 2022

Despite offensive pushes from both sides, neither the Red Stars nor Louisville were able to convert quality chances in the final third.

Louisville earned its best chance in the 76th minute, when the team was awarded a free kick 20 yards from the goal. Emina Ekic fired a banger into the top corner, putting the shot out of reach of Alyssa Naeher for the equalizer.

.@emina_ekic10 was that real life 🤯

WE ARE TIED UP HERE!@RacingLouFC | #RacingLou pic.twitter.com/bF03O27sob

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) April 17, 2022

The 1-1 scoreline held until the final whistle, keeping Chicago in second place in the Central Division with eight points and Louisville in third with six points through five games.