LISLE, Ill. – Aine O’Gorman’s first-half goal was the difference as the Chicago Red Stars dropped a 1-0 decision to the Ireland Women’s National Team Sunday in an exhibition played at Benedictine University.

O’Gorman scored unassisted on a breakaway in the 40th minute.  After bursting through the Chicago backline the forward was challenged by Caroline Jönsson but fired a shot just before the Red Stars keeper could knock it away.  It was one of just two shots Ireland managed in the game.

The Red Stars had a few good opportunities beginning in the 45+ minute.  Ifeoma Dieke hit the crossbar on a shot from the top of the box and the ball deflected right to Lindsay Tarpley, but the Chicago forward was whistled offside.

In the second half, Cristiane wowed the crowd by exploding through a block of three Irish defenders in the 82nd minute, only to have Ireland keeper Emma Byrne get a leg on the shot to deflect it wide.  Two minutes later Tarpley played a free kick into the penalty box where Danesha Adams put her head on the ball but sent it just over the net.

The Red Stars outshot their opponent by a 16-2 margin for the match.  Reserve keeper Lydia Williams played the second half and recorded the Red Stars’ only save.  Chicago was whistled in the offside position seven times.

The Red Stars return to WPS action on Sunday, July 12th, when they host FC Gold Pride for a 7 pm match at TOYOTA PARK.  The game will be a celebration of the 10-year anniversary of the U.S. victory in the 1999 Women’s World Cup and feature special appearances by World Cup team members Brandi Chastain, Brianna Scurry and Tiffeny Milbrett.  In honor of the accomplishment of these soccer pioneers, the Red Stars are offering a special 99 cent ticket promotion.  Tickets are available by calling (866) WPS-2009 or logging on to www.chicagoredstars.com.

Ireland Women’s National Team at Chicago Red Stars
July 5, 2009 – Benedictine University

SCORING
                                            1              2              FINAL
Ireland                                  1              0              1
Chicago                                 0              0              0                                                                                             

SCORING SUMMARY:
1. IRE – Aine O’Gorman, 40.

Ireland – Byrne; Caldwell (Tracy, 66), Fahey, Mary Therese McDonnell, DeBurca; Shannon McDonnell, Connor (Hughes, 66), Jukabowski (O’Brien, 46), Curtis (Smyth, 46); O’Gorman, O’Sullivan.

Chicago Red Stars – Jönsson (Williams, 46); Dieke (Östberg, 62), Krzysik, Igwe, Vandenburgh; Carney (Masar, 46), Klein, Lloyd (Wenino, 62), Rapinoe (Cristiane, 66); Tarpley, Cristiane (Adams, 46).

STATISTICS
SHOTS:                 IRE – 2 CHI – 16
SHOTS ON GOAL:  IRE – 2 CHI – 2
SAVES:                 IRE – 2 CHI – 1
FOULS:                 IRE – 9 CHI – 7
CORNER KICKS:     IRE – 0 CHI – 3
OFFSIDES:            IRE – 5 CHI – 7

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
IRE – Jemma Connor (Caution), 39.
IRE – Fiona O’Sullivan (Caution), 83.

Referee: Miguel Panduro
Referee’s Assistants: Greg Dopka, Eric Boria
4^th Official: Dimitar Chavdarov
Time of Game: 1:57
Weather: 85 degrees, sunny.

All statistics included in this box score are unofficial.