April 23, 2022 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – OL Reign News Release
SEATTLE, WA – OL Reign is set to San Diego Wave FC for a second time this Challenge Cup. The game kicks off at 7:00 p.m. PT at Torero Stadium in San Diego, California. OL Reign is looking to earn their fifth win of the Challenge Cup and clinch the top seed in the tournament.
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 7:00 p.m. PT on Saturday, April 23 at Torero Stadium in San Diego, California
WHERE TO WATCH: The match will be available on Paramount+ in the U.S. and Twitch internationally.
2022 CHALLENGE CUP RECORDS AND STANDINGS (W-L-D): OL Reign: 4-0-1 (13 points, first place in the West Division), San Diego Wave FC: 1-3-1 (4 points, third place in the West Division)
Key Points Ahead of the Match:
1. LAST MEETING – This is the second ever meeting between OL Reign and San Diego Wave FC. The first meeting took place on April 14th at Lumen Field, OL Reign came away with a 3-1 victory. OL Reign was the dominate team from the first whistle, scoring three goals in the first eleven minutes of the match. At the time, that was the fastest that any NWSL team had accomplished that. Since then, the North Carolina Courage scored three goals in the first nine minutes against the Orlando Pride.
OL Reign’s first goal was scored by midfielder Nikki Stanton, who took advantage of a messy San Diego 18-yard box. The hometown player directed the ball on target to put the Reign up early to score her first goal for the team. The Reign did not stop their early onslaught there, finding a second goal quickly. This time, it was Bethany Balcer, OL Reign’s 2021 leading goal scorer. Balcer hit an excellent shot into the back of the net to score her first of 2022. The momentum continued in favor of the Reign. The team continued to push on, scoring a third goal in the 11th minute of the match. This goal was scored by OL Reign defender Sam Hiatt. Hiatt was in the box following up after a corner kick and hit a beautiful ball,…