Ex-Eclipse Rodriguez lifts W.Va. in OT; DePaul's Gustafson nets 1st goal

Bri Rodriguez -- Chicago Red Stars

Eclipse Select Communications

CHICAGO -- Eclipse Select Soccer Club alumna and University of West Virginia junior midfielder Bri Rodriguez (Aurora, Ill./Waubonsie Valley High School) tallied a game-winning goal for a 1-0 overtime win over the University of Rutgers in Big East Conference play Sunday in Morgantown, W.Va.

Rodriguez chipped the ball over Rutgers goalkeeper Emmy Simpkins from about 25 yards out for the winning tally.

"I knew I got a hold of it," Rodriguez said. "I just didn't know if the goalie was out far enough where she could get back in. As soon as I saw it go into the back of the net, I got really excited."

DePaul's Gustafson tallies 1st goal in win: Eclipse Select alum and DePaul University freshman Kyle Gustafson (Libertyville, Ill./Libertyville) netted his first collegiate goal during the Blue Demons' 2-1 win over Seton Hall in their Big East opener Saturday at Wish Field in Chicago.

"We got a corner kick in the first half and Mauricio Velasco gave me a good in-swinger that floated over the goalie's head, Gustafson said. "Luckily I was able to get my head down on it. It's always good to get that first one out of the way."

Read more at EclipseSelect.org.

Red Stars join WPSL for 2011

J. Santacaterina, E. Weber, M. Weissenhofer

The Chicago Red Stars are joining the Women's Premier Soccer League for the 2011 season. The Red Stars played during the Women's Professional Soccer league's 2009 and 2010 seasons, and the organization elected to take a hiatus from WPS to shore up its investment group.

The team takes the pitch in the WPSL throughout June and July, with two home games taking place on July 2 and 10 at the Village of Lisle-Benedictine University Sports Complex, 5700 College Road, in west suburban Lisle, Ill. Tickets are $10 for general admission seating. For more information, visit www.ChicagoRedStars.com.

The Red Stars roster will include former Atlanta Beat and St. Louis Athletica forward Amanda Cinalli (a Notre Dame alumna); Geneva, Ill., native and 2010 Red Stars midfielder Jackie Santacaterina (a University of Illinois alumna); Elk Grove, Ill., native and 2010 Red Stars defender Elise Weber (Notre Dame); Naperville, Ill., native and 2010 Red Stars forward Michele Weissenhofer (Notre Dame); Aurora, Ill., native and 2011 All-Big East Conference First Team midfielder Bri Rodriguez (West Virginia); former Chicago Red Eleven midfielder and current Lewis University (Romeoville, Ill.) women's assistant coach Kara Kabellis; and Batavia, Ill., native and recent University of Illinois defender Julie Ewing.

The Red Stars will be coached by Eclipse Select Soccer Club's Director of Coaching and Player Development, Rory Dames.

Read more at WPSL.info.