LOUISVILLE — Lauren Milliet scored two goals, the second proving to be the game-winner, as Racing Louisville turned back the Orlando Pride 3-2 on Friday night at Lynn Family Stadium.
Louisville won its first match of the season and is 1-3-1, 14th in the NWSL table. Orlando fell to 2-2-2 and remains with eight points and in sixth place in the standings.
Milliet scored in the 19th and 50th minutes and Sarah Weber scored in the 47th minutes for Louisville, offsetting a brace by Orlando forward Barbra Banda. Banda scored in stoppage time in the first half and at the end of the game as the Pride furiously tried to equalize. The goals were Banda’s second and third of the season.
Orlando created three corners and had four shots on target in the final three minutes of stoppage time to end the match. Summer Yates’ right-footed shot from outside the box for Orlando was saved by keeper Jordyn Bloomer in the Pride’s best chance to tie the match.
That came three minutes after Banda scored her second goal of the game, a right-footed shot from very close range to the high center of the goal. Hannah Anderson provided the assist with a headed pass following a corner. On Banda’s first goal, Angelina assisted with a through ball following a fast break.
Orlando dominated the stats, controlling the ball 61.4% of the match with 11 shots on goal in 27 attempts.
The result continued a trend in the series. Neither team has won on the road in 13 matches. The home side has won seven times and there have been six draws.
It was Orlando’s first match since April 3 as the NWSL took an international break. The Pride are back in action May 2 at home when the Washington Spirit come to Inter&Co Stadium. Racing’s next match is Wednesday at Washington.