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Lynn Williams scored her 79th career goal, making her the NWSL‘s all-time leading goal-scorer across all competitions, as NJ/NY Gotham FC beat the visiting Chicago Red Stars 2-1 on Sunday in Harrison, New Jersey.
Williams’ goal for Gotham (4-2-3, 15 points) broke a scoreless draw in the 57th minute. The Red Stars (5-4-1, 16 points) equalized in the 74th minute on a strike from Penelope Hocking before Ella Stevens scored the match-winner in the 90th for Gotham.
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Williams threatened to score her record-breaking goal a few times in the first half. She snuck a chance through Chicago’s backline in the fifth minute, but the Red Stars cleared it away. In the 18th minute, she had to settle for a corner after her breakaway run was snuffed out. And in the 45th minute, her shot attempt went over the crossbar.
Her moment finally came in the second half. Jenna Nighswonger charged up the left wing and crossed the ball into the box, where Esther González corralled it just past the far post, kicking it back across the goal to Williams. With one seemingly effortless header, Williams put the ball in the back of the net, giving herself the record and Gotham the lead.
Nighswonger also had the assist on Stevens’ winner, sending in a corner kick from the left side in the 90th minute that Stevens headed in from close range. Stevens didn’t start, but subbed on for Rose Lavelle in the 62nd minute.
Hocking’s goal marked the third straight match she’s scored in, as she cleaned up a deflection with a right-footed shot.
Williams was also the recipient of one of three yellow cards, handed out for a hard foul near the end of the match.
Information from Reuters was used in this story.