It was the 27th minute of Racing Louisville's home game against league-leaders San Diego Wave FC last month, and Jaelin Howell and Savannah DeMelo were standing over the ball for a free kick about 25 yards from goal. They sized up their options for how to beat Wave goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan, arguably the best shot-stopper in the National Women's Soccer League.
Howell ran over the ball as a decoy, forcing the Wave's defenders to move slightly from their set positions. DeMelo followed right behind her, striking a shot toward Sheridan, who stared into a vivid Kentucky sunset more fitting of a San Diego summer night.