D'Aquila and Wade-Katoa second half goals help Portland to victory.
INDIO, Calif. – Thorns FC surged to a 2-1 preseason victory over San Diego Wave FC in the Coachella Valley Invitational Saturday afternoon as part of the team's preseason, presented by Old Trapper Beef Jerky. Following a scoreless first half, Portland was paced with second-half goals from Izzy D’Aquila and rookie Olivia Wade-Katoa, with Wade-Katoa scoring her first professional goal in her first professional match.
Goal Scorers and Playmakers
Goalkeeper Shelby Hogan put on a clinic in between the pipes to keep the Wave at bay. In the first half Hogan made countless saves to keep the match scoreless, including a massive point-blank stop just before the whistle. Despite struggling to find offensive momentum in the first half, Portland came alive in the second half, finding goals from second-year Izzy D’Aquila and rookie Olivia Wade-Katoa. The Thorn’s duo of new outside backs, Marie Müller and Nicole Payne, shined on the outside, making impressive offensive runs, while also locking down the Wave’s advances on the defensive side.
Thorns FC Coachella Valley Invitational Notes
Portland traveled to the Coachella Valley without seven of its athletes, including Sam Coffey (USA), Jessie Fleming (CAN), Olivia Moultrie (USA), Isabella Obaze (DEN), Becky Sauerbrunn (USA), Hina Sugita (JPN) and Sophia Smith (USA), all of whom were with their respective national teams for various international competitions. As a result, three trialists joined the squad for the California-based trip, including Taylor Aylmer, Marissa Sheva and Mallie McKenzie. With goalkeeper Bella Bixby out on maternity leave, Shelby Hogan started and played 75 minutes in the 2-1 victory against San Diego, with Lauren Kozal earning a 15-minute shift to close out the match. Additionally, forward Janine Beckie was unavailable as she continues to recover from an anterior cruciate ligament tear, sustained in March of last year.
Goal-Scoring Plays
POR – Izzy D’Aquila, 49th minute: Morgan Weaver sent a long-ball through the top of the 18-yard-box, where Izzy D’Aquila collected the pass, dribbling towards the near post before ripping a shot into the upper-left corner, sending the ball soaring past the ‘keeper.
SD – Marley Canales 56th minute: Following a poor clearance inside the penalty box, Portland attempted to push the ball away from danger, but the ball fell to the feet of Marley Canales who was able to feed her shot through a narrow window and past the arms of a diving Shelby Hogan.
POR – Olivia Wade-Katoa, 71st minute: Marissa Sheva initiated a give-and-go with Mogan Weaver, who drove towards the endline before sending the ball upwards, across the face of goal and past the line of San Diego defenders. Weaver’s pass fell perfectly in the line of Olivia Wade-Katoa who smashed a shot from outside the 18-yard-box, sending the ball sailing into the back of the net.
Next Game
Next up, Thorns FC will return to Portland, Ore. to finish off the preseason, next facing the University of Portland in a closed-door preseason match against the University of Portland on Saturday, March 2 at 11:00am PT.
The Thorns are slated to begin the regular season on March 16 against Kansas City Current at CPKC Stadium before returning to Providence Park on March 24 for the home opener against NJ/NY Gotham FC, tickets for which are on sale now.
