The Portland Thorns would make a single goal hold up in a 1-0 win over NY Gotham on Saturday. Hina Sugita had the lone goal.
It was just the fourth minute when the Thorns had their first good chance, when a pass from Morgan Weaver had Hina Sugita open at the top of the Gotham box, but her shot was just wide right. After a Gotham defender nearly put a pass past her own goalkeeper, the Thorns came within inches of taking the lead in the 34th minute when Olivia Moultrie‘s curling shut hit off the left post. The match was scoreless at the break.
The 52nd minute saw a cross by Portland’s Weaver turn into a dangerous scoring opportunity, nicely saved by Gotham’s Mandy Haught. But just two minutes later, the Thorns were on the board when a nice deep cross from Sam Coffey was headed nicely by Sugita at the far post, and the Thorns had a 1-0 lead.
Thorns fans were glad to see Sophia Smith subbed in for the last 10 minutes, seeing her first action since her injurty. Gotham nearly stole a point in stoppage time when Lynn Williams had a point-blank shot stopped by a nice save by Bella Bixby. But Gotham would never find the net and the Thorns held on for the 1-0 win.
