WPSL: Lou Fusz Athletic responds after rain delay, rings up another win to remain unbeaten
- Dan Stickradt
- Jun 28
- 3 min read
NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com
MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. – Peoria City did something that no other side has done this season against Lou Fusz Athletic.
That is score two goals in a game against one of the top defensive teams in the WPSL.
It didn’t matter.
Lou Fusz Athletic, which entered the contest with a 19-1 scoring differential, five shutouts and a team goals-against-average of 0.17, scored one goal before an hour rain delay, then came back with two more goals before settling for a 3-2 victory in a Midwest Conference-Gateway Division match against Peoria City.
Lou Fusz improved to 6-0-1 in league games for 19 points and that sets the stage for a regular-season ending showdown Sunday with second place FC Pride. That game is set to be played at the Lou Fusz Athletic Complex near St. Louis.
Peoria City ends its first season in the WPSL with a 5-3-0 Gateway Division record (5-4-0 overall). The Carp came into the game with a 17-5 scoring edge and 15 points but could not slow down Lou Fusz Athletic on its home field.
Lou Fusz, which now owns a 22-3 scoring edge this season before allowing the two goals Friday, came out and took a 1-0 lead in the 16th minute. Meghan Belorse lofted a free kick above the wall and one-hopped by the goal line before skipping off Peoria City goalkeeper Peyton Rhoades (University of Illinois) and into the goal.
The light rain turned to a downpour after that and coupled with some lightning extended some delays for over an hour.
When play resumed, Rylee Howard (St. Louis University) added to the lead with an unassisted goal in the 34th minute. Lou Fusz settled for a 2-0 lead at the break.
In the second half, Peoria City finally pulled one back in the 47th minute when Emily Murphy (Lindenwood University) sent home a shot to trim the deficit down to 2-1.
Lou Fusz Athletic did have the answer later in the second half.
Mia Devrouax (University of Missouri) set up teammate Haylee Braun (Northern Iowa University) with a scoring chance and Braun delivered with a tally in the 68th minute which later proved to be the game-winner.
Murphy was able to convert for Peoria City in the 90th minute on her final shot of the game that cut the deficit down to 3-2. But time ran out on Peoria City moments later.
Caroline Ritter (Lindenwood) has logged every minute of every game in goal for LFA and gained the win in goal for the winners, while Maggie Duggan (Southern Indiana University), Haden Vicek (Indiana University), Abby Wiederman (Western Kentucky University) and Brooklyn Greene (Eastern Illinois University) did the much-needed defensive work for the hosts, which still have only allowed three goals all season. LFA still has a fine 0.43 goals-against-average as a team.
Lou Fusz Athletic can clinch a league title on Sunday with a win or tie against FC Pride (5-1-1), which has 16 points with one game to go. LFA now has 19 points entering its final regular season match.
Lou Fusz Athletic and FC Pride tied 1-1 back on May 30 in their first meeting of the season.
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