On July 7, the Chicago Red Stars head into the National Women's Soccer League break on a two-game win streak after shutting out the Houston Dash 1-0 at Shell Energy Stadium behind a goal from rookie Penelope Hocking.
In her second straight start, Emily Boyd earned her second consecutive shutout for the Red Stars.
After being suspended for a week, Julia Bianchi proved to be a force for the Red Stars as the midfielder ranked in the top five Red Stars in completed passes (39) and other categories.
Chicago will next take on Racing Louisville FC on Friday, July 21, at 7 p.m. CT at Lynn Family Stadium.
Also on July 7, the Chicago Sky (8-10) lost to the Atlanta Dream (9-8) 82-68 in WNBA action.
It was Chicago's first game since now-former coach/general manager James Wade left to be an assistant coach with the Toronto Raptors, the Chicago Sun-Times noted. Emre Vatansever is the interim coach/general manager, joined by current assistant coaches Ann Wauters and Tonya Edwards.
Kahleah Copper led the Sky with 16 points, six rebounds and three assists.
The Sky will play Atlanta again on Sunday, July 9, at Wintrust Arena at 7 p.m.
Nikki McCray-Penson, a two-time Olympic gold medalist who was one of the original players on the Chicago Sky, has passed away at age 51, WGN-TV noted.
In her ninth and final year in the WNBA, she joined the expansion Chicago Sky as one of their original players. She was in the starting lineup for the team's inaugural game against the Charlotte Sting on May 20, 2006. McCray-Penson—who played at Tennessee from 1991-95 under Hall of Fame coach Pat Summitt—was herself inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012.
—Andrew Davis
