July 22, 2012
NATIONAL CHAMPS
Red Stars win amateur cup

The Chicago Red Stars won their first national title on Sunday Photo by James Smith/Chicago Red Stars

BRIDGEVIEW, IL – The Chicago Red Stars overcame former champ New York Athletic Club 3-2 to take their first ever title, the U.S. National Cup. Amanda Cinalli led the way with a goal and an assist, while Ashlee Elliott and Georgia Waddle each added a goal for the winners.

The Red Stars found themselves behind early, giving up an ambitious 18-yard goal to NYAC in just the 5th minute of the match. Chicago got the equalizer in the 38th when Cinalli worked in an unassisted chip over the NYAC goalkeeper.

Kara Kabellis placed a corner kick onto the head of defender Ashlee Elliott in the 56th minute, giving Chicago their first lead of the day. It was to be short-lived, however, because NYAC came storming back just 8 minutes later, leveling the score at 2 each.

Amanda Cinalli put a shot on goal from the left side of the field in the 66th that the NYAC ‘keeper tried to save but it caromed to the far post before being slotted away by Georgia Waddle.

The game was one of two the Red Stars, utilizing a split squad played on Sunday. In the other game, the final WPSL Elite game of the season, Chicago played to a 1-1 draw with the New York Fury.