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NWSL Seattle Reign FC

Bethany Balcer Named NWSL Player of the Week

September 9, 2021 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Seattle Reign FC News Release


TACOMA, WA - The National Women's Soccer League announced today that it has named OL Reign forward Bethany Balcer as the league's Budweiser Player of the Week for her performance against Racing Louisville FC on Saturday, September 4 at Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky. Balcer scored the equalizing goal to earn a point on the road for OL Reign and became the leading scorer in the league.

The NWSL Player of the Week is selected each week by the NWSL Media Association, a collection of writers that cover the league on a consistent basis.

Balcer has been an important part of OL Reign's comeback this season and continued to shine against Racing Louisville this past weekend. OL Reign went down a goal in the first half and were left chasing the game. Though the team dominated in possession and shots, they just couldn't find the back of the net. That is, until the 74th minute, when Balcer found the breakthrough goal.

Sofia Huerta made her way up the field from her position at right back and put a perfectly placed cross into the box. Balcer got her head on the end of it, like she has done many times before, and powered the ball past Michelle Betos in goal. That was Balcer's eighth goal of the season. With that goal, she moved to the top of the NWSL Golden Boot race.

The hardworking forward also took home this honor in Week 12 for her performance against the Houston Dash. She has played in 18 matches for OL Reign this season, starting ten of those matches. In her 912 minutes of playing time, she has scored eight goals, including two braces. She has taken 31 shots and directed 19 of those shots on target.

"I'm lucky that we have great players. You really have to give credit to players like Bethany Balcer. The goal came from great players like [Huerta] and Balcer, so I'm just really lucky," said OL Reign head coach Laura Harvey.

Balcer is one of five OL Reign players to win the Player of the Week award this year. This is her second time receiving this award.




National Women's Soccer League Stories from September 9, 2021


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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