May 3, 2023 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – OL Reign News Release
SEATTLE, WA. – The National Women’s Soccer League announced today the 11 players named to the Best XI of the Month, presented by Mastercard, for the months of March and April by the NWSL Media Association and the NWSL’s on-air broadcast talent. Seven teams are represented in the league’s Top 11.
OL Reign has three players in the league’s March/April Best XI of the Month, which is tied for the most selections in the league. All three of OL Reign’s selections – goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce, midfielder Jess Fishlock and forward Bethany Balcer – started in all five games throughout March and April.
Within the five games, goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce recorded 15 saves and two clean sheets, bringing her all-time total to 80 saves and 11 clean sheets. The 26-year-old tied the all-time club record for clean sheets and moved up to fourth all-time in saves in club history. Since the 2022 season, the goalkeeper hasn’t missed a game, appearing in 27 consecutive regular season games – not allowing more than three goals in any of those matches. Additionally, OL Reign is one of five teams to not allow more than three goals in a game in 2023. This award marks Tullis-Joyce’s second Best XI of the Month selection of her career.
Midfielder Jess Fishlock scored three goals throughout the five games played in March/April, tied for the second most in the league. The 11th-year veteran surpassed 40 goals all-time, earning her 40th and 41st goals against the Chicago Red Stars in Week 4. The brace marked the third of her career since the 2016 season. Fishlock is one of 10 players in league history to break 40 goals all-time and currently sits at ninth in total goals in league history. The Welsh international is tied for seventh in the league in shots (12) this season. Since the award began in 2017, Fishlock has been selected to the Team of the Month five times.
Forward Bethany Balcer earned the second Best XI of the Month selection of her career for recording three goals and one assist in five appearances. The fifth-year attacker is one of three players this season to register at least three goals and one assist. Balcer also recorded a brace against the Red Stars, joining teammate Jess Fishlock, marking the third brace of her career and first since 2021. Balcer reached 25 goals all-time, becoming the fourth player in club history to cross this milestone, joining forward Megan Rapinoe (48), Jess…