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NWSL Seattle Reign FC

Jodie Taylor's Late Game-Winner Gives Boost to Playoff Hopes

September 26, 2019 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Seattle Reign FC News Release


TACOMA, Wash. - Forward Jodie Taylor assisted on the first goal of the night, then scored a dramatic game-winner in the 86th minute to help Reign FC (9-6-7, 34 points) to a 2-1 win over Utah Royals FC (9-9-4, 31 points).

"It was a battle, wasn't it?" Taylor said. "We knew going into it that it was going to be a scrappy game. I thought it was quite end-to-end and tight. I'm just happy that we won."

The win moves Reign FC into the fourth and final playoff spot in the NWSL standings. The club now also holds the primary tiebreaker against Utah should the two clubs finish level on points, having gone 2-1-0 against the Royals this season.

Forward Bethany Balcer opened the scoring in the 40th minute. Taylor chipped a short through ball over Utah's back line and Balcer found it wide of goal, before closing down and firing it past Nicole Barnhart to the far side net to record her fifth goal of the season.

Utah equalized in the 67th minute. After a series of blocked shots, a loose ball rolled to the Royals' Vero Boquete, who converted from inside the six-yard box past keeper Casey Murphy.

Taylor's late goal came after forward Darian Jenkins flicked a header over Utah's back line. Taylor settled underneath the ball and hit a low shot before it could touch the ground, beating Barnhart to the left post to score her third goal of the season.

"The thing with Jodie is that she knows she hasn't scored as many goals as she could probably score," Reign FC head coach Vlatko Andonovski said. "But she's a big player. She comes in in big games and scores big goals. When you need her the most, she scores a goal in the 86th minutes to get us a step closer to the playoffs."

Taylor's goal and assist earned her Reign FC's Player of the Match award. The forward now leads the team with three assists in 14 appearances.

Reign FC was outshot 14-10 by Utah, including an 8-5 advantage for the Royals in shots on goal. The hosts won the tackle battle 17-7, however, winning the ball in critical areas despite conceding 59 percent of the possession.

Reign FC's closes out its home schedule against rivals Portland Thorns FC on Sunday, September 29 at 11:00 a.m. PT. A limited number of tickets are available online, or by calling the Reign FC ticket office at (855) REIGN-FC.

Match Report

Match: Reign FC vs. Utah Royals FC

Date: Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Venue: Cheney Stadium, Tacoma, Wash.

Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. PT

Weather: 64 degrees, partly cloudy

Attendance: 5,015

Goals by half 1 2 Total

RFC 1 1 2

UTA 0 1 1

Scoring Summary

RFC - Bethany Balcer (Jodie Taylor) 40'

UTA - Katie Stengel 67'

RFC - Jodie Taylor (Darian Jenkins) 86'

Misconduct Summary

RFC - Kristen McNabb (caution) 77'

Lineups & Stats

RFC: GK Casey Murphy, D Steph Catley, D Lauren Barnes, D Rebecca Quinn, D Celia Jiménez Delgado, M Allie Long (Rumi Utsugi 82'), M Kristen McNabb, M Bev Yanez, F Darian Jenkins, F Jodie Taylor (Steph Cox 90'), F Bethany Balcer (Ifeoma Onumonu 52')

Substitutes Not Used: GK Lydia Williams, D Theresa Nielsen, M Rosie White, F Shea Groom

Head Coach: Vlatko Andonovski

Shots: 10

Shots on goal: 5

Fouls: 14

Corner kicks: 6

Saves: 7

UTA: GK Nicole Barnhart, D Mallory Weber, D Becky Sauerbrunn, D Rachel Corsie, D Gunnhildur Jonsdottir, M Vero Boquete, M Lo'eau Labonta, M Desiree Scott, F Christen Press, F Katie Stengel (Katie Bowen 84'), F Amy Rodriguez

Substitutes Not Used: GK Abby Smith, D Gaby Vincent, D Michelle Maemone, D Maddie Nolf, M Erika Tymrak, M Raisa Strom-Okimoto

Head Coach: Laura Harvey

Shots: 14

Shots on goal: 8

Fouls: 12

Corner kicks: 4

Saves: 3

About Reign FC

Reign FC is one of nine teams in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) - the world's most competitive women's professional soccer league. Reign FC features many of the top players from the United States, including U.S. Women's National Team superstar Megan Rapinoe, as well as top players from around the world. Reign FC began its first campaign in the South Sound at Tacoma's Cheney Stadium in April of 2019. For more information on the club visit ReignFC.com.

Check out the Seattle Reign FC Statistics



National Women's Soccer League Stories from September 26, 2019


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