August 20, 2022 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Orlando Pride News Release
CHESTER, Pa. – After being acquired just five days ago, forward Ally Watt led the Orlando Pride (5-5-6, 21 points) to a 2-1 win over NJ/NY Gotham FC (4-11-0, 12 points) on Saturday night with her first goal just minutes into her debut. The Pride were also bolstered by a score from defender Celia, who put the Pride ahead just four minutes into the second half.
With the win, the Pride sit just two points out of playoff position with five games remaining in the regular season.
Coming into the match in the 64th minute, Watt made an impact almost immediately, taking her defender one-on-one to score the game winner in the 73rd minute. The forward was acquired via trade with the OL Reign on Monday by the Pride in exchange for $125,000 in Allocation Money. Midfielder Meggie Dougherty Howard picked up the assist on the goal, her second of the campaign.
The win pushed the Pride to seven-straight matches unbeaten, with the team now 3-0-4 over the run. It also marked back-to-back wins for the Pride after earning a 1-0 victory last week in San Diego.
Goalkeeper Erin McLeod earned her fifth win on the year, making six saves on the night including an important point-blank stop on Paige Monaghan just before the half ended.
Haley Hanson also made her Pride debut on the night after being acquired by the Pride on Thursday.
Acting Orlando Pride Head Coach Seb Hines:
“Really, really good performance. We knew it was going to be difficult, playing away from home it’s never an easy game but we were going to stick to our principles and our style of play. We spoke to the players about just playing, enjoy it, just go out. Some of it was first class, it was brilliant and that’s what we’re asking for. To see it out all the way to the end of the game, it was terrific…Every game right now is massive. I’ve said it from the start, we’re not settled with where we’re at. We want to be in playoffs and this is another big step to where we want to be.”
Scoring Recap:
49′ Celia – ORL 1, NJNY 0
The Pride got on the board minutes into the second half after building down the left hand side. After Celia’s initial header attempt fell in the box, the defender continued to clean up and sent the ball into the back of the net with her left foot.
73′ Ally Watt (Meggie Dougherty Howard) – ORL 2, NJNY 0
Debutant Ally Watt put the Pride ahead just minutes into her appearance, a goal that would prove to be the game-winner in…