FC Wichita women blank Side FC 92 in season opener

WICHITA, Kansas—FC Wichita women opened their fifth season as a professional soccer club on the right foot. The Ladies blanked Side FC 92 on Saturday afternoon at Stryker, 3-0. 

FC Wichita starts the season 1-0-0 for the second consecutive season. 

It's also the second largest season opening win in franchise history (7-1 v. Little Rock Rangers 5/19/2018). 

"It felt like we kind of dominated the game," FC Wichita's head coach Ashley Cordeiro said.  We kind of had it in our hands. We just took advantage of controlling the game."

FC Wichita was aggressive and it eventually led to a red card for Side FC 92 in the first half. FC Wichita's Khloe Shuckman was on a breakaway and Julianna Coates tackled her just outside the box. While her tackle may have saved the goal, it left Side FC 92 down a player for almost two-thirds of the match. 

The Ladies turned up the heat and put pressure on their keeper, Emily Dobbins. While Dobbins was formidable against FC Wichita, given the circumstances, the barrage of shots continue to flow and eventually FC Wichita was able to break through. 

Lina Fasquelle sent a rocket into the upper 90, past a diving Dobbins for the first goal of the match. 

It would be all FC Wichita would need. 

Less than 10 minutes later the insurance goal came from Grace Linton. She drilled a PK into the back of the net after a Side FC 92 defender was called for a hand ball in the box, leading to an FC Wichita corner. 

"We didn't talk about that just wanted someone to step up, who would be confident and that was Grace," Coach Cordeiro said. 

FC Wichita finally tacked on the final goal in the 90th minute when Hinata Kojima sound Khloe Shuckman for the goal in the 90th minute. 

In net, Mallorie Lund was rarely challenged on Saturday. When she was, The Southwestern Mound Builder made quick work of Side FC 92 opportunities. 

FC Wichita will turn around and play Side FC 92 again on Friday, May 20 in Oklahoma. Kick off is scheduled for 6 p.m.

"We know what we're up against," Cordeiro said. "Hopefully, we can just kind of take that confidence and try to get three points on the road."