Denver Summit FC Score 5-2 Victory against San Diego Wave
NWSL Denver Summit FC

Denver Summit FC Score 5-2 Victory against San Diego Wave

Published on February 21, 2026 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Denver Summit FC News Release


Denver Summit FC delivered an attacking showcase in its second Coachella Valley Invitational matchup, defeating San Diego Wave FC 5-2 in a high-energy preseason contest.

Starting XI

Abbey Smith; Natalie Means; Kaleigh Kurtz (c); Eva Gaetino; Ayo Oke; Jasmine Aikey; Yuna McCormack; Tash Flint; Janine Sonis; Melissa Kössler; Ally Brazier.

First Half

Summit wasted no time setting the tone. Just four minutes in, Natalie Means opened the scoring to give Denver an early 1-0 advantage.

San Diego appeared to respond quickly with a goal in the 8th minute, but the finish was ruled offside, preserving Summit's lead. The Wave found their equalizer shortly after, as Ludmila scored in the 13th minute to level the match at 1-1.

Denver responded with composure. In the 23rd minute, Means turned provider, delivering an assist to Melissa Kössler, who finished to restore Summit's lead. Denver carried that 2-1 advantage into halftime.

Second Half

Summit made adjustments at the break, with Carson Pickett and Olivia Thomas subbing in for Ally Brazier and Melissa Kössler.

San Diego struck early in the second half, as Goffrey found the back of the net in the 52nd minute to tie the match at 2-2.

The response was immediate.

Just four minutes later, Tash Flint fired Denver back in front, reclaiming the lead at 3-2. Momentum firmly shifted in Summit's favor as the squad continued to press forward.

In the 66th minute, Olivia Thomas extended the advantage to 4-2, capitalizing on Denver's attacking rhythm. Additional substitutions followed, with Peyraud-Magnin, García, and Reid subbing in for Smith, Flint, and Gaetino. Later, Mia Colombini replaced Oke and Meg Boade came on for Means as Summit continued to rotate and evaluate depth.

Thomas wasn't finished.

In the 89th minute, she struck again to seal the result, recording her second of the match and pushing the final score to 5-2.

Final: Denver Summit FC 5, San Diego Wave FC 2

After the game Means was asked about how the team wanted to execute going into this game and how do you feel after leaving the game? To which she responded:

"We were all just excited for one more opportunity after a long week of really good, really intense practices to have one more opportunity to come out with a win and practice the things that we've been focusing on, which has really been high pressure, repressing, and then this week especially more playing through the midfield to get wide and forward."

True to form the performance highlighted Denver's high attacking pressure, quick responses to adversity, and effective use of squad rotation. With five goals scored by four different contributors - Means, Kössler, Flint, and Thomas (2) - Summit demonstrated both balance and firepower.

As preseason continues, Denver Summit FC builds momentum and confidence, showing continued growth and cohesion with each match.

Denver Summit FC is hosting its Inaugural Kit Reveal at Union Station on Monday, February 23rd at 9 am.

Be sure to buy your Kickoff tickets for the team's first home match at Empower Field where Summit will be facing last season NWSL runners up Washington Spirit!

Check out the Denver Summit FC Statistics

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National Women's Soccer League Stories from February 21, 2026


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