SYMMES TOWNSHIP, OHIO (June 3rd, 2025) – Kings Hammer FC Cincinnati Ladies played to a 1-0 victory against Racing Louisville FC on a hot and humid night in the Queen City.
The temperature at kickoff was a staggering 87 degrees with humidity nearing 50%, but both teams would have to battle through it.
A quiet start would see mixed possession, with KHFC having the first attempt on goal. Forward Lauren Flax took on a right-footed shot from just inside the box but would only find the grateful hands of Louisville Goalie Amanda Poorbaugh in the 8th minute.
Racing would get the next chance four minutes later as winger Leah Kunde would pick up the ball on the left flank before dribbling her way into the box, only to have her shot skip inches past the far post.
Despite the heat, both teams would continue to press high up the pitch, which eventually resulted in a Racing free kick, but it would sail harmlessly over the bar.
After a short water break, it was KHFC on the attack, this time through Peyton Smith. The midfielder would find herself with the ball in the box, and with a half yard of space, ripped a shot towards the goal. Ultimately though, the ball was on the wrong side of the post, rippling the side netting for a goal kick.
Smith’s shot would stand as the last attacking moment for either team in the half as the final eight minutes before the break wouldn’t see another real attempt.
The game would really start to ramp up after halftime though, as each team came out with a desire to open the scoring. KHFC thought they had the breakthrough in the 53rd minute when a beautiful passing sequence found Kylee Simmons alone at the back post with an open net in front of her, but it was ruled that there was a KHFC player offside in the buildup.
For the next 15 minutes, both teams attempted several shots, but none of which were on target. The best chances out of those was a 63rd minute shot from Racing Louisville’s Ella Raider, whose dipping effort from nearly 35 yards out went about a foot over the bar.
After 70 minutes of play, it felt as if the first goal of the game would likely end up the winner. And just a minute later, that winner would be delivered on a silver platter for Abby Townsend to take.
An inch-perfect header from Kylee Simmons looped perfectly over the Louisville backline and found a hard-charging Townsend. One on one with the keeper, Townsend, who after taking a few dribbles, fired a shot from her right foot into the bottom corner, beating Poorbaugh with ease.
“I feel like we had plenty of opportunities to shoot the ball in the first half, and we didn’t really take those opportunities,” said Townsend. “I feel like we could’ve been a little more selfish, and obviously it was a one versus one opportunity, so my main goal was to score, don’t try to pass it off, just do what you know how to do and finish.”
After the goal, Louisville attempted to up the pressure even more and got away a few more shots, but none of them were enough to beat KHFC goalkeeper Maria Galley, who kept a clean sheet in what ended as a 1-0 win for KHFC.
This victory for KHFC sees them go to the top of the Valley Division table based on goal difference against Louisville, while also playing a game less than Racing.
Head Coach Jacob Morrison– who was joined by newborn son Arthur for the postgame interview– gave his thoughts after the final whistle on his team’s big win, saying “We stuck to what we wanted to do. I think last time around, we had some questions. It was the first game of the season, and we had a lot of people asking those questions. Today was all about us and what we wanted to do.”
The ladies will now get an eight-day rest after playing three games in 10 days. After that break, they will welcome Indy Eleven to the Lindner Family Sports Complex. Fans are encouraged to come show support for the division-leading KHFC ladies or watch the game via stream on Sports Engine Play!
