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NWSL Seattle Reign FC

OL Reign Take First in the West with Draw in San Diego

April 24, 2022 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Seattle Reign FC News Release


SEATTLE, WA - OL Reign (4-0-2) drew 1-1 with San Diego Wave FC (1-3-2) on the road to round out their Challenge Cup group stage. The draw was enough to secure the Reign's first place finish in the West Division of the Challenge Cup. The gritty game was a testament to OL Reign's character throughout the entire tournament.

OL Reign opened the scoring of the match, yet again. The play started when OL Reign was pressed high up the field and forward Bethany Balcer was in position to take advantage of a ball misplayed by San Diego goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan. Balcer played the ball to forward Ally Watt on her right, who took one touch before burying the ball in the back of an empty net in the 13th minute of the match.

Throughout the rest of the first half, OL Reign was looking to double their lead, but had to navigate around the high pressure of San Diego. The game was not one-sided, and San Diego had their share of chances on goal. However, goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce and her backline did well to keep San Diego off the board.

San Diego found a bit of luck in the 44th minute, when a questionable handball was called on OL Reign in the box. Despite the protests of OL Reign players, the referee awarded San Diego with a penalty kick. Forward Alex Morgan stepped up to the spot and converted the kick, tying up the match in stoppage time of the first half.

After halftime, OL Reign absorbed a lot of pressure from the Wave, who came out attacking high up the field. The Reign held their composure and searched for opportunities to break the high press. The team got shots off in the 62nd and 65th minutes but didn't find the back of the net..

Tempers began to flair in the match as the tension continued to build. Several players picked up yellow cards as the game became more physical. San Diego midfielder Kelsey Turnbow saw yellow twice and was sent off the field in the 82nd minute of the match.

Through the final stretch of the match, OL Reign had two more chances on goal, but ultimately the game ended 1-1. With this point, OL Reign secured the top spot in the West Division of the NWSL Challenge Cup, after previously clinching their spot in the semifinals last weekend.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

- With this win, OL Reign secured the first-place finish in the West Division of the 2022 Challenge Cup

- Ally Watt scored her first NWSL goal with her 13th minute goal

- OL Reign scored first in all six of their Challenge Cup matches in 2022

UP NEXT: OL Reign travel to Audi Field in Washington, D.C. to take on the Washington Spirit in their first regular season match of 2022 on Sunday, May 1.

MATCH SUMMARY

2022 NWSL Challenge Cup

OL Reign (4-0-2, 14 points) 1-1 San Diego FC (1-3-2, 5 point)

Date/Time: Saturday, April 23, 2022, 7:00 p.m. PT

Location: Torero Stadium, San Diego, California

Weather: 62, Clear

Scoring Summary

TEAM 1H 2H FT

OL Reign 1 0 1

San Diego Wave FC 1 0 1

RGN: Watt - 13

SD: Morgan - 45+5'

Discipline

RGN: Fishlock (Caution - 69')

SD: Sheridan (Caution - 13'), Jakobsson (Caution - 65'), Turnbow (Caution - 69', 82')

Lineups

RGN: GK Tullis-Joyce, D Huerta, D Cook, D Hiatt, D Barnes, M Quinn (Stanton 75'), M Fishlock, M Lavelle, F Balcer (Van der Jagt 50'), F Watt, F Latsko

Unused substitutes: GK Dickey, M Van der Jagt, D McClernon, D Miramontez, M Stanton, D Lopez, M Athens, F Kajan, M Canales

Total Shots: 8 (Watt - 3)

Shots on Goal: 3 (Watt - 2)

Fouls: 12 (Latsko - 3)

Offsides: 0

Corner Kicks: 4

Saves: 3 (Tullis-Joyce - 3)

SD: GK Sheridan, D Riehl D Girma, D McGrady, D Westphal, M Kornieck, M Van Egmond, M Turnbow, F Briede (Schimmer 59'), F Morgan (Taylor 46'), F Jakobsson (Ali 67')

Unused substitutes: GK Telford, M Pulver, GK Lowder, F Doniak, D Hansen

Total Shots: 12 (Kornieck - 3)

Shots on Goal: 4 (Four tied with - 1)

Fouls: 8 (Turnbow - 4)

Offsides: 2

Corner Kicks: 3

Saves: 2 (Sheridan - 2)

Budweiser Player of the Match: Ally Watt

Referee: Samantha Martinez

Assistant Referee 1: Eduardo Jeff

Assistant Referee 2: Jose Vega

4th Official: Jaclyn Metz

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