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Boston fired 17 shots in the first half and 10 more in the second half, but was unable to score.
It was another tough game for Legacy coach Filipa Patau, as they lost 2-0 in Chicago on Saturday. Barry Chen/Global Staff
The Boston Legacy’s rocky start to its inaugural season continued Saturday night in Chicago, as the Legacy fell to the Stars by a score of 2-0, remaining winless through five games.
Saturday’s loss marked the fourth time in five games that Legacy was shut out, even though they created more scoring chances than they have all season.
Boston fired 17 shots in the first half and 10 more in the second half, for a total of 8 shots on goal, but was unable to find the back of the net.
“We want it bad now,” forward Nichelle Prince said. “But we need to channel that into some calm and a little confidence in front of goal.”
Like Prince, coach Philippa Patau attributed the scoring drought to a lack of confidence and the weight of successive losses looming over her players.
“It’s difficult when the results don’t go our way,” Patau said. “These ghosts start to be on the field. The first minute we get the first win, the first win, it’s going to be easier for the players. … What they have now is the burden of trying to be great.”
Chicago player Jordin Heitema opened the scoring in the tenth minute. Sam Stapp sent a corner kick into the box and Heitema, exposed at the far post, slotted a loose ball past Casey Murphy for an early 1-0 lead.
Boston’s best chance of the night came on a series of three near misses as time expired in the first half. Hanson compatriot Sammy Smith collected a long shot and sent the ball across the 18-yard box to Alba Canio, who fired the ball off the crossbar.
Amanda Guterres then flicked the rebound back to goalkeeper Katie Atkinson, who parried the ball but was unable to hold on, giving Aissata Traore another rebound from close range. Atkinson makes another save, cleared by the Stars.
“What we need to work on now is not about principles on the field,” Patau said. “It’s in the head.”
Chicago doubled its lead in the 51st minute. Ryan Garris and Nadia Gomez broke through Boston’s press, and Garis set up Gomez for a one-on-one chance against Murphy. The striker scored it into the net to give Chicago a 2-0 lead.
The Legacy will return to Gillette Stadium on Wednesday night (7) to take on North Carolina.
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