June 19, 2022 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Angel City FC News Release
SEATTLE, WA – Angel City Football Club (ACFC) lost 0-1 to OL Reign tonight on the road, in a fast-paced, physical match. Forward Bethany Balcer scored the only goal of the night.
The match got off to a frenetic start. ACFC found a few chances and half-chances early, but the momentum quickly went the Reign’s way, and the home team began peppering LA with chances in transition, often after winning the ball back with aggressive midfield pressure.
The home team nearly got on the board in the 16th minute when a corner kick by forward Megan Rapinoe was pinged around a few times in the penalty area before falling to defender Alana Cook, who was lurking at the top of the area. Cook took a low, driven shot through the crowd of players, which goalkeeper DiDi Haračić did well to save.
The next 10 minutes saw the Reign continue finding chances in transition, and they notched the first and only goal of the night in the 31st minute. Midfielder Jess Fishlock dribbled past her mark and found fellow midfielder Angelina near the edge of the 18. Angelina sent the ball into the mixer, where Angel City defender Ali Riley kicked an attempted clearance into Reign forward Bethany Balcer, who hammered a shot to the far post.
Seattle continued to push, but Haračić and the defense managed to keep them from finding a second goal. In the 40th minute, defender Madison Hammond made a clutch defensive play after forward Veronica Latsko’s shot hit the post from close range. Hammond quickly stepped in front of Latsko and kicked the ball out for a corner.
The second half saw ACFC gain more control, and in the 54th minute, midfielder Savannah McCaskill had one of the best chances of the night. While running at the Reign back line, she received the ball from midfielder Clarisse Le Bihan, dribbled to the right, then cut left to beat three defenders. Her low left-footed shot went inches wide of the near post.
Ten minutes later, Le Bihan and McCaskill again connected, this time on a McCaskill free kick to the far post that Le Bihan connected with and volleyed into keeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce from close range.
Much of the rest of the game was a physical, back-and-forth affair, with neither team grabbing control of the game, and both receiving multiple yellow cards. Haračić continued to shine, with one impressive save in the 83rd minute where she dove backwards to deflect a shot/cross from forward Tziarra…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at OurSports Central Women's Soccer News…