February 25, 2023 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – OL Reign News Release
SEATTLE, WA. – In their first action of 2023, OL Reign beat Club América 3-1 at Starfire Stadium in front of a crowd of 2,666 fans. The friendly match marked the first joint event following the announcement of a partnership between the two teams and Olympique Lyonnais.
Though the match was a friendly, the intensity from both sides was clear from the first whistle. While the game was end-to-end, OL Reign opened the scoring of the night in the 11th minute. Veronica Latsko lofted a ball into the box from the right side of the field, where Tziarra King was waiting to pounce. Making no mistake, King one-touch volleyed the ball into the back of the net.
The first half continued in a physical battle. OL Reign had a couple of close calls and Phallon Tullis-Joyce, as well as the woodwork kept the ball out of the back of the net. Just as it seemed the game would go to halftime with OL Reign up 1-0, the team found a second goal to double their lead. Though the goal was ruled an own goal, the play began with a beautifully curled ball to the top of the box from Bethany Balcer. OL Reign newcomer Elyse Bennett was at the top of the box, positioning herself perfectly to force an own goal.
After halftime, OL Reign continued to showcase their depth as a team, still finding success after a flurry of substitutions. Laurel Ivory and Claudia Dickey, second year goalkeepers, both saw time in the net. Club América was the first to get on the scoresheet in the second half, with a 74th minute goal from Kiana Palacios.
As the game was drawing to a close, OL Reign managed to find one last goal to see the game through. In a great display of skill and speed, OL Reign trialist McKenzie Weinert beat a Club América player to the ball and took it to the goal herself, beating her defender and slicing the ball past the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.
At the final whistle, OL Reign celebrated their 3-1 victory, as well as the start of a historic international partnership.
MATCH SUMMARY
2023 International Preseason Friendly
OL Reign 3-1 Club América
Date/Time: Saturday, February 25, 2023, 7:30 p.m. PT
Location: Starfire Stadium, Tukwila, Washington
Weather: 38, light wind
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