Denver Summit FC Edges Seattle Reign, 2-1
Published on September 19, 2026 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Denver Summit FC News Release
Welcoming the Seattle Reign (11-10-4, 37 pts) to Centennial Stadium for the first time in franchise history, Denver Summit FC (9-8-8, 35 pts) fought to a 2-1 victory on home soil following rainfall and lightning delays
The three-point finish extended the Summit's five-match unbeaten streak, the longest of their season, with Denver not seeing a loss on home soil since Aug. 5 (2-0 vs North Carolina) ... Denver now sits just one point outside of ninth in the table and two points away from the final playoff spot.
With a shotless opening 15', the Summit were the first to take a look at the goal in the 15th, while also holding the Reign to just a single shot in the first half, tied for their least in any half this season.
Breaking things open for Denver in the 45th minute was midfielder Delanie Sheehan who sent a cross flying over the defense and into the back of the net, capturing her first goal since a May 9 second-half stoppage score at Houston ... The opening tally was assisted by co-Captain Lindsey Heaps, who picked up her third goal contribution in as many matches (2 goals, one assist).
In the 50th minute of matchplay, midfielder Tash Flint found herself just inside the box on a pass from co-Captain Janine Sonis in what would ultimately be the match-winner, her second of the season ... Drilling it into the back of the net, Flint tallied her sixth goal of the season, tied for second most on the squad, with Sonis' assist marking her fifth this season, tied for her single season best (Louisville - 5).
Flint's goal marked Summit's 25th in the back half of match play this season, good for second in the league (North Carolina Courage - 30) ... Having previously scored 12 goals in the first 15' of the second half this season, the Summit continued to grow their league-topping lead with Flint's goal marking their 13th.
Despite their quiet first half performance, the Reign were able to get back into the match with a goal in the 54th minute off an unassisted score from Brittany Ratcliffe ... Entering the match just one minute prior, the goal was her second substitution tally of the season.
Despite conceding a single goal on the night, goalkeeper Abby Smith had a stellar performance in the goal, making three crucial saves.
Scoring 25 goals at home, the Summit have the third most goals on home turf in the league this season, (North Carolina - 26; KC Current - 28) ... The Summit's nine multi-goal performances at home puts them in the league tying top position alongside the Kansas City Current.
The Summit have scored multiple goals in their last five matches for a total of 16 goals across the five contests.
At the conclusion of the match, Sonis sits in fourth in the NWSL Golden Boot Race with 11 goals and five assists.
With two road games remaining prior to the October international break, the Summit will return home for their final two regular-season home fixtures against Angel City (Oct. 17) and Racing Louisville (Oct. 24).
SCORING
45' DEN, Sheehan (Heaps assist)
50' DEN, Flint (Sonis assist)
54' SEA, Ratcliffe
SCORING SUMMARY
1 2 F
DENVER 1 1 2
SEATTLE 0 1 1
DISCIPLINE
47' SEA, Huerta (yellow)
72' SEA, Menti (yellow)
73' SEA, McClernon (yellow)
81' DEN, Smith (yellow)
DENVER LINEUP: Smith, Gaetino, Kurtz, Means (60' Oke), Sonis, Sheehan, Regan (84' Lynch), Heaps ©, Ryan, Yuzuki (84' Yuna), Flint
Unused Substitutes: Asman, Reid, Bonner, Kössler, Thomas, Boade
SEATTLE LINEUP: Dickey, Bugg, McClernon, Brown (79' Curry), Huerta ©, James-Turner (89' Ward), Meza, Menti (79' Fishlock), Mondesir (54' Radcliffe) Dahlien, Fishel (54' Mercado)
Unused Substitutes: Miller, Mason, Holmes, Hladek
National Women's Soccer League Stories from September 19, 2026
- Denver Summit FC Edges Seattle Reign, 2-1 - Denver Summit FC
- Reign FC Falls, 2-1, to Denver Summit FC on Saturday at Centennial Stadium - Seattle Reign FC
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