San Diego Wave Fútbol Club has won its first three matches to start the NWSL regular season after defeating the Chicago Red Stars 2-1 on Sunday, May 15 at Torero Stadium. The victory puts San Diego (3-0) at nine points and three points ahead of fellow expansion team Angel City FC, which is currently in second place.

“I’m immensely proud of how they’ve conducted themselves, how they’re playing, how they’re performing,” said  San Diego Wave assistant head coach Rich Gunney. “Chicago came with a lot of heart and determination, especially at the end there.”

Forward Alex Morgan converted a penalty kick in the 56th minute to give the home team the lead, which was the fifth goal in her last two matches, with defender Kaleigh Riehl adding on what turned out to be the game-winner in the 89th minute off a set piece from midfielder Kelsey Turnbow who came in as a substitute.

“We’re not surprised, we’ve put in a lot of work on the training ground and our staff has really prepared us well,” said Riehl. “Today wasn’t necessarily our best game, but we were able to grit it out and use that mentality.”

Just when it looked like San Diego would come out with another shutout performance, the visitors scored in the 90th minute off a deflected ball from forward Ava Cook, but could not muster another goal during the five minutes added to finish the game.

San Diego goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan’s frustration at the unlucky goal, which prevented her from a third straight clean sheet, showed when she received a yellow card for kicking the ball out of bounds immediately after the play.

San Diego now goes on a four-game road trip starting Wednesday, May 18 against Racing Louisville, followed by a matchup versus defending NWSL Challenge Cup champion Carolina Courage on Sunday, May 22. The team won’t play another home game at Torero Stadium until June 8 when they take on the Portland Thorns.

Photo courtesy: San Diego Wave