Champaign, Ill. – The Chicago Red Stars concluded their preseason exhibition schedule with a resounding 8-0 victory over the University of Illinois tonight in their final tune-up match before opening the WPS campaign on the road on Saturday. Forward Danesha Adams recorded a hat-trick, while five others players, including Illini alum Ella Masar, also tallied for the Red Stars.

“It was a good team performance,” said Red Stars Head Coach Emma Hayes. “We carried out many of the things we’ve been working on in practice, which makes the coaching staff happy. It’s always nice to keep a clean sheet, and I know the fans were really pleased by the quality of some of the goals tonight.”

The Red Stars were held scoreless for nearly 40 minutes before Lindsay Tarpley finally broke through with the lone goal of the first half. 

The second half was a different story, with goals coming fast and furious. The Red Stars punched in four goals in seven minutes, with the first two courtesy of forward Danesha Adams. Carli Lloyd, Ella Masar, Brittany Klein and Heather Garriock added their names to the scoring sheet, before Adams notched the hat-trick before time expired.  very player on the Red Stars roster earned minutes, including former Illinois standout and Red Stars defender Mary Therese McDonnell, who may have earned the biggest applause of the night.

The Red Stars open their season this Saturday on the road against St. Louis Athletica. Space is still available on a fan bus headed to St. Louis – transportation and game tickets can be purchased through The Globe pub at 773-871-3757. The Red Stars will play their historic game-opener at TOYOTA PARK in Bridgeview, Ill., on Sunday, April 19th against Sky Blue FC.  Season tickets, starting at only $120 for 10 regular season games plus two bonus games, are on sale now. Call (866) WPS-2009 or log on to www.chicagoredstars.com to reserve your seats.

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Red Stars’ Starting Line-Up

25 –Lydia Williams (GK), 2-Marian Dalmy, 23-Nikki Krzysik, 4-Ifeoma Dieke, 7-Heather Garriock, 14-Karen Carney, 18-Frida Östberg, 10-Carli Lloyd, 3-Ella Masar, 5-Lindsay Tarpley, 11-Cristiane