May 4, 2023 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – OL Reign News Release
SEATTLE, WA. – OL Reign (1-0-1, 4 points) battled to a 1-1 draw against Angel City FC (0-1-1, 1 point) in their second UKG NWSL Challenge Cup match of the year. Two games into a three-game week, the Reign’s heavily rotated squad earned a clean sheet and remains undefeated in Challenge Cup play this year.
The Reign started the match playing heavy defense against Angel City. OL Reign’s backline – captain Sofia Huerta, Sam Hiatt, Shae Holmes and Ryanne Brown, along with goalkeeper Laurel Ivory did well to contain Angel City’s attack.
In the eighth minute of the match, Angel City thought they had bagged the opening goal of the night, but forward Katie Johnson was whistled offside, keeping the score level at zeroes. Immediately after the play, the Reign launched an attack of their own, ending with a shot off the foot of forward Tziarra King, but the rocketed ball was kept out of the back of the net by the far post.
Play continued from end to end throughout the first half. Defender Sam Hiatt came up with a huge challenge in the 23rd minute of the match, going to ground to stop Angel City’s attack and keep possession of the ball. To close out the half, OL Reign was on the attack once again. King was close to finding the back of the net for the second time in the match, but Angel City did just enough to keep the ball out of the back of the net and maintain the 0-0 scoreline into the break.
After halftime, the game was still deadlocked, both teams battling to keep the other off the scoresheet. Midfielder Olivia Athens notched OL Reign’s lone shot on target in the 48th minute of the match, but Angel City FC goalkeeper Brittany Isenhour was there to collect. On the other end of the field Brown continued to show her skill on the backline, coming up with an important goal line save in the 63rd minute when she headed the ball off the line on an Angel City corner kick.
Toward the end of the match, Ivory was called on to make some great saves in goal. Displaying her excellent skill in the net, she managed to save a curled shot from Angel City midfielder Savannah McCaksill, stretching to clear the immediate danger and maintain OL Reign’s clean sheet.
At the final whistle, the game ended scoreless, both teams splitting the points in their second UKG NWSL Challenge Cup meeting of the year.
Key Facts:
– SERIES: The draw brings the all-time series to 5-0-1 between the Reign and Angel City FC.
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