Gotham FC defeated Racing Louisville FC 2-1 on Friday to stay atop the NWSL standings.
No matter how the second-place Washington Spirit fares against Boston Legacy FC on Sunday, the Bats will remain in first place through the weekend.
Gotham FC Boosted by Return of Key Midfielder Rose Lavelle
Rose Lavelle returned to the Gotham FC starting XI after missing two matches due to concussion symptoms. The 31-year-old midfielder played for 62 minutes against Louisville before she was substituted.
“She’s obviously been frustrated for missing this time with the team and helping on the pitch but she’s doing absolutely everything in her power to be able to come back and help us,” head coach Juan Carlos Amorós said following the win.
“Today, she was great in the midfield. She was able to connect. I think coming back after the difficult period of the concussion, she deserves a lot of credit. For us, she’s an incredibly important player and we’re very happy that she’s finally back with us on the pitch.”
Lavelle completed 16 of 18 passes — three of which were into the final third.
“It’s great to have her back,” forward Jordynn Dudley said. “She’s always all over the field and always providing an option and such a good leader for our team. So I think everyone’s really excited to have her back.
“She’s definitely a lead-by-example player. Seeing her run all over the field and asking for the ball and getting up for the ball, I think that really pushes everyone else to want to do the same and work for each other.”
Guro Reiten Makes History With Thunderbolt Goal
Left-back Guro Reiten unleashed a long-range strike to put Gotham ahead in the eighth minute. It was her first NWSL goal, and she became the first Norwegian to score in league history.
Nine minutes later, Louisville forward Kayla Fischer evened the contest from a corner opportunity.
The sides went into halftime knotted at 1-1 despite Gotham owning 73 percent of possession and completing 222 passes compared to the hosts’ 61 successful passes.
Jaedyn Shaw Nets Match Winner, Midge Purce Reaches 10,000 NWSL Minutes
Not long after the second half began, forward Jaedyn Shaw finished off a precise team move to regain Gotham’s lead in the 46th minute. Sam Kerr played the ball across the box, and Shaw slotted the ball into the far corner of the net.
Gotham FC veteran Midge Purce surpassed 10,000 regular-season NWSL minutes in Friday’s contest.
“That’s my bestie,” Shaw said of Purce. “We talk about how we’re best friends and we’re 10 years apart which is hilarious. She’s been in the league for so long. She’s such an impactful player in this league. For her to have that accolade, she obviously deserves that.
“I’m so happy to have her on our team. She’s been like a big sister to me, especially coming here to Gotham, just helping me with on and off the field stuff. She’s obviously been really great for the club and really great for me as an individual.”
The Bats will close out their road trip on Saturday, September 19, against the North Carolina Courage. Saturday’s contest is scheduled to kick off at 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
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