March 29, 2024 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL)
Seattle Reign FC News Release
SEATTLE, WA. – In the team’s second consecutive match on the road, Reign FC fell to San Diego Wave by a score of 1-0.
The Reign kicked off the match in a new formation for the 2024 season, shifting in the midfield as Olivia Athens and Olivia Van der Jagt slotted into the starting lineup. From the first whistle, it was clear the match was going to be a back-and-forth battle, requiring both teams to be sharp on the ball in the attack and on defense.
Just four minutes into the match, Seattle strung together a series of passes that ended with a cross to the back post, where forward Bethany Balcer was freeing herself of San Diego’s defense to get on the ball. Though her ensuing header did not find the back of the net, the Reign sent a clear warning sign to the Wave early in the match.
The game continued to build and Seattle was asked to defend as San Diego began to thread the ball into the offensive third of the field. In the 8th minute, goalkeeper Claudia Dickey made a diving save to keep forward Alex Morgan’s shot out of the goal and play continued on. Dickey was asked to perform once again, this time in the 27th minute, as she stopped a close range shot from Jaedyn Shaw in the 27th minute and another shot on target from Sofia Jakobsson in the 28th minute.
Two minutes later, defender Lily Woodham and Balcer connected in the 30th minute, ending with a shot on target from Balcer, but it went straight into the hands of Wave goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan. Before the half was over, veteran defender and captain for the Reign, Lauren Barnes, barely deflected a shot headed toward goal, pushing it to hit the post and clear from danger. After an intense battle, the teams went into the locker room deadlocked.
Early in the second half, defender Alana Cook subbed onto the pitch for the Reign, making her return from injury and reaching her milestone 5,000th minute played. In the 63rd minute, Seattle had a great attacking opportunity, starting with forward Jordyn Huitema picking up possession from San Diego in their own half of the field. She began a very patient string of passes from the Reign, drawing San Diego all over the half, but the clean play ultimately did not result in a real threat from the Reign.
As both teams began to make more substitutions, the game began to intensify. In the 78th minute, the Reign showed its defensive strength as San Diego fired off multiple close-range shots…