**Louisville, Kentucky** – Racing Louisville FC kept all three points at home after defeating San Diego Wave FC, 1-0, at Lynn Family Stadium thanks to an absolute belter of a free kick from midfielder Savannah DeMelo just before the half-hour mark.
Louisville won the ball back in the 19 ^th minute and a header was flicked on for midfielder CeCe Kizer, but her ball across goal was lifted over both the opposition defense and her teammates as it landed up top of goal and out of play.
Two minutes later, San Diego tested Louisville goalkeeper Katie Lund for the first time all night as midfielder Emily van Egmond lined up a shot from around 25 yards out that Lund was able to safely collect in some of her first action of the night.
The hosts had another look on goal via a free kick in the 24 ^th minute when forward Jaelin Howell was tripped by Wave FC’s Taylor Kornieck. Behind the free kick was midfielder Savannah DeMelo, who did well to get the ball on frame but was denied by San Diego goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan.
However, three minutes later, Louisville got their goal from a free kick in a similar position that DeMelo was keen to take charge of. Around 23 yards out from goal, DeMelo struck the ball in a way in which it beat the wall to the right side and got past Sheridan in the top right corner in a redemptive effort that launched the hosts into the lead.
In the 38 ^th minute, San Diego managed to try Lund in a bigger fashion as Kornieck put her laces through a ball from just outside the 18-yard box that forced the goalkeeper to get down low to make the save. Despite their best efforts though, the visitors were unable to fashion a first goal of their own and Louisville kept their lead through halftime.
The beginning of the second half also brought chances few and far between with substitute forward Alex Morgan forcing a save out of Lund in the 46 ^th minute, though it would be all the way until the 84 ^th minute before San Diego produced a dangerous chance. In the penalty area, Wave FC’s Kristen McNabb got on the end of an Alex Morgan pass and headed toward goal but wide from the center of the area. In the 86 ^th minute, San Diego did force another save out of Lund as a deep ball into the box from a free kick out wide saw Wave FC’s Mkenzy Doniak get a foot on the pass as it dribbled toward goal and into Lund’s palms.
Though neither side was able to score from open play, Louisville midfielder Savannah DeMelo’s free kick difference maker in the 27 ^th minute was worthy of a winner. The result means Racing Louisville earned their first win of the regular season while San Diego dropped their first game of the regular season after winning three straight.

Match Highlights

Match Highlights