First W in the W: ECFC Shuts Out Rockford Raptors
- Andi Revesz
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
CHICAGO — Edgewater Castle Football Club opened their USL W slate with a 2-0 victory over the Rockford Raptors May 16. Midfielder Elyse DeSchryver and forward Katharine Stephens each scored in the season opener, while goalkeeper Cynthia Waller recorded four saves in the shutout.
Despite the slow start, the Rooks maintained control of the ball for the majority of the game, outshooting the Raptors 7-2.
In the 39th minute, defender Jennifer Devona received a yellow card for a foul on Rockford’s forward Ava Kling, who fell to the ground after the collision.
DeSchryver got the Rooks on the board in the 44th minute after receiving a pass from Stephens on the right side of the net. From just inside the keeper box, DeSchryver sent the ball into the goal’s top right corner, securing the first goal for ECFC in the USL W.
Head coach Emma Woodley said DeSchryver’s goal came at the best time for the Rooks, helping their momentum going into the second half.
“It was such a relief,” Woodley said. “We felt it was coming and we needed it. That was just such a great way to go into the half. Everyone was already gassed, and that gave us a lot of motivation, a little bit of relief. We were able to kind of breathe.”
The Rooks got off on the wrong foot in the second half, when defender Samantha McKibben went to deflect a shot in the first minute of play. Her kick grazed the outside left side of the net, just barely missing an own goal. McKibben redeemed herself in the 51st minute, as a shot from the left side of the goal touched the tips of Rockford’s keeper’s hands and fell out of play.
Midfielder Kily Egan sprinted down the right side boundary line and sent a cross to Stephens, who was waiting in front of the goal. Stephens tapped the pass into the top left corner of the net in the 67th minute to claim a 2-0 lead for ECFC.
In the 75th minute, forward Jocelyn Leigh had a close shot on target, as the ball hit the cross bar and flew behind the net. Leigh continued her momentum and took another shot on the left side of the net, which flew into the siding, ending the game 2-0 in favor of the Rooks.
Despite the win, Woodley said there’s still a lot to work on with the team as they continue the rest of the season.
“We’ve been practicing for a while, but a lot of these girls have just joined us because they’re coming out of college,” Woodley said. “There’s a lot of things for us to work on, even though it was a great win. Some organization, some communication and even personnel — trying to figure out the right combinations is something we’re working through.”
The Rooks continue their USL W slate Saturday, May 23rd against RKC Third Coast. Kickoff at Winnemac Stadium is at 1 p.m. Access to the game live stream is available on SportsEngine Play or at edgewatercastlefc.com.
