“I think we want to improve every practice and every game and I think so far we have done that.” -Jurgen Ruckaberle, Head Coach

On Sunday, June 9th, the Lane United Women’s Team matched up against United PDX in a 1-1 draw for the Reds. While being supported by local girls, the LUFC women impressed and gave their youth supporters a team to look up to.

The first half was mostly controlled by the Reds, who had strong build-up play in possession and were very dangerous on the counterattack. The 0-0 deadlock was broken by the Reds in the 20th minute with a beautiful team goal that was finished off with a header by midfielder Jessie Hawes. The goal was an example of the incredible build-up play that the Reds displayed in the first half as the sequence started from center-back Brynn Phillips. When asked about the goal, Women’s Head Coach Jurgen Ruckaberle expressed how he was “really pleased not just… with the final product, but also how it developed.”

After the first goal with 25 minutes remaining in the first half, the Reds sat back and looked to attack on the counter. This was effective with the Reds having multiple breakaways but unfortunately, they were unable to put their chances away. This made it 1-0 Lane United heading into the half. Goal scorer, Hawes, spoke postgame about the message from the coaching staff at the half. “I think we just wanted to keep up the intensity, keep shifting in our 4-4-2 block, not letting them break through the midfield and just be gritty in the box,” Hawes said.

The visiting side United PDX came out of the locker room with a sense of urgency. In the 50th minute, substitute Taylor Krueger scored the equalizer. The Reds, however, did well to prevent PDX from scoring a second goal in the final 40 minutes of the match. The 1-1 draw meant LUFC picked up its second point of 2024. It was also the first time PDX conceded any points this season. PDX entered Civic Park with a 4-0-0 record and second in the Northwest Division.

“I’m pleased,” coach Ruckaberle said. “I think we want to improve every practice and every game and I think so far we have done that.” The Reds will be back at Civic Park on June 16th to play FC Olympia. Though first, they’ll hit the road to face Capital FC tonight 6/12 at 7pm.

When asked what the focus is entering the second half of the season Hawes said, “Getting three points. We’ve had a couple of ties and we talked about going up to Capital Wednesday. We’re looking to get a win there.”