A second-half equalizer from Racing Academy alum Marley Kahle helped Racing Louisville FC’s USL W League team draw Lexington SC, 1-1, on Wednesday at the Lynn Family Sports Vision & Training Center.
Louisville (1-1-1, 4 points) remained in third place in the Valley Division of the nation’s premier pre-professional women’s soccer league.
“I thought it was a great effort from us,” said Racing W League coach Callie McKinney. “In the first half, we didn’t play the way we were capable of. At halftime, we talked about what we wanted to see in the press and what we wanted to see in the build. I think we came out in the second half and showed how we want to play.”
Lexington took advantage of a misplayed back-pass to take a first-half lead through Katelyn Fishnick.
In the second half, Louisville applied pressure while pushing for an equalizer. Ellie Coffield’s volley clattered off the post, and Betsy Huckaby’s shot required a save over the bar from Lexington goalkeeper Taylor Fox.
The breakthrough came in the 70th minute when Sophia Boman played in Kahle, who scored from the edge of the area
The Appalachian State forward joins AG Gibson on the list of current or former Racing Academy players to score this season.
“I think for these girls to grow up in the academy and see the NWSL players is very important,” McKinney said. “They then go off to college, but come back and play for the academy that they grew up in. That is a super special opportunity. Getting the goal to equalize the game is a super cool moment for Marley.”
With a roster comprised of college standouts and Racing Academy talents, Racing’s W League team is chasing a spot in the USL W League playoffs. The first-place finisher from each division moves into the W League knockout tournament.
Next up, Louisville will travel to Indianapolis for its first road match of the season, taking on Indy Eleven at 7 p.m. Friday, June 7, at the Grand Park Events Center. Select home and away games may be streamed live via SportsEnginePlay.com.
Racing will return to Lynn Family Sports Vision & Training Center on Wednesday, June 12, to host St. Charles FC at 4 p.m. Home matches are free to attend and open to the public.
Visit RacingLouFC.com/WLeague for more information on the 2024 campaign.
