OL Reign 1
San Diego Wave FC 0
July 28, 2023
Lumen Field – Seattle, WA
NWSL Challenge Cup
OL Reign and San Diego Wave FC returned to action Friday evening in Seattle in NWSL Challenge Cup play.
The host Reign entered the match with a chance to advance in the tournament and clinch the group. The visiting Wave were very much looking up in the cup standings.
The early play was very much both sides taking their time and sorting out the pace of play. Near the ten minute mark San Diego would get the first real chance on goal as Makenzy Doniak would get free down the right flank and put a low far post shot on goal that Reign keeper Claudia Dickey did well to push wide.
The Seattle side would slowly assert itself as the half progressed, beginning to have the better of possession and putting steady pressure on the Wave defense.
The first half became more back and forth as it progressed. Taylor Kornieck spiked a dangerous header from the center of the box. Tziarra King nearly opened the account late in the half. The more open flow of the match put pressure on both defenses.
The middle of the pitch was a challenge for either to crack. Moving the ball to the outside creating long runs and through balls began to generate more and more opportunities.
Although the first half would end goalless, there were many interesting opportunities and both keepers seemed in control of their respective penalty areas. Much is often made of NWSL depth. With the international absences for the world cup, the opportunities to see so many players getting valuable starts and producing dangerous chances is a story line to follow as the Challenge Cup group stage plays out.
The match pace was brisk coming out of the interval. Seattle was clearly pressing for the goal that would allow them to clinch the group with a game to play. The Wave defense was
Ryanne Brown would sub in and within minutes draw a penalty, giving the Reign a shot at grabbing that lead. Bethany Balcer would step up to the spot and calmly give her side the lead in the 71st minute.
Melanie Barcenas would come on for San Diego in the 79th minute. The 15 year old Barcenas would get an opportunity to get some minutes in a road cup match as part of her transition into the pro ranks.
San Diego would push forward late, looking for an equalizer, earning a free kick going into stoppage time, but Dickey was again up to grabbing the cross. Another final opportunity would be cleared and the Reign would take the three points.
With the win, OL Reign clinched the West Division in the Challenge Cup with a match to play. The Seattle side will host Cascadia rivals Portland Thorns FC next Sunday, in what could still be a play in match for the Thorns as of this posting.
The win for the Reign also extends their unbeaten run against the Wave, who have yet grab points in Seattle or defeat the Reign in eight matches over the past two seasons.
BOX
Scoring
OLR: Bethany Balcer – 71’
SD: None
Discipline
OLR: None
SD: Hill (Caution – 56’), Pogarch (Caution – 90+5’)
Lineups
OLR: GK Dickey, D Latsko (Canales 90+5’), D Hiatt, D McClernon, D Holmes, M Van der Jagt, M Stanton, F Balcer ©, F Athens (Brown 65’), F Bennett (Viggiano 90+5’), F King (Malonson 89’)
Unused substitutes: GK Ivory, M Fitzgerald, D Livingstone, F Weinert, F Edwards
Total Shots: 10 (Bennett – 3)
Shots on Goal: 3 (Bennett – 2)
Fouls: 16 (Bennett – 4)
Offsides: 7
Corner Kicks: 2
Saves: 3 (Dickey – 3)
SD: GK Yanez, D Pogarch, D Riehl ©, D Westphal, D Shorts, M Hill (Connors 88’), M Enge, M Kornieck (Turnbow 46’), M Colaprico (Dougherty-Howard 46’), F Doniak (Barcenas 79’), F Shaw
Unused substitutes: GK Brzykcy, M Briede, D Dahlkemper, D Cortez, F Ali
Total Shots: 5 (Bright – 6)
Shots on Goal: 3 (Bright – 4)
Fouls: 16 (Cluff – 3)
Offsides: 2
Corner Kicks: 4
Saves: 2 (Yanez – 2)
Referee: Alyssa Nichols
Assistant Referee 1: Matthew Schwartz
Assistant Referee 2: Melissa Beck
4th Official: Jacyln Metz
VAR: Robi Hullner
AVAR: Benjamin Wooten
