Onumonu’s Stoppage-Time Goal Earns Road Draw with Spirit

WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 14, 2019) – Reign FC rallied back after conceding a goal to the Washington Spirit in the 90th minute at Audi Field on Saturday evening. Substitute forward Ifeoma Onumonu pulled the club level in the second minute of second-half stoppage time, helping Reign FC earn a 2-2 draw in front of a crowd of 17,418.

Washington struck first in the 30th minute. Midfielder Mallory Pugh broke up the left side and hit a cross to the head of forward Ashley Hatch, who flicked the ball inside the near post to beat Reign FC keeper Casey Murphy.

Reign FC needed just five minutes to respond, however, when a Rosie White corner kick was knocked down in the box by a leaping Bev Yanez. Balcer chased down the ball and fired a low shot through traffic to beat keeper Aubrey Bledsoe and score her team-best fourth goal of the season.

Megan Rapinoe came on as a substitute at halftime, replacing White and quickly establishing a dominant presence on the wings for Reign FC. The forward finished with two shots on goal and created several dangerous chances on set pieces.

Substitute Chloe Logarzo put the hosts on top in the 90th minute. After a run by Hatch into the box drew Murphy to the right post, Hatch found Logarzo unmarked at the far end of the net and the Australian finished as Murphy attempted to recover to make it 2-1.

Two minutes later, Taylor poked a ball through traffic to Onumonu, who raced into the area and finished with her right foot past Bledsoe to provide the late equalizer.

Balcer earned Reign FC’s Player of the Match Award. Balcer took a match-high five shots in the contest and shifted to play as the central attacking midfielder when Rapinoe entered the match.

Reign FC outshot Washington 15-12 over the course of the match, including an 8-4 advantage in shots on target. Washington was forced to make 36 clearances to stave off Reign FC’s attack, while Bledsoe chipped in with six saves.

The draw brings Reign FC level on points with Utah Royals FC through 20 matches each. The two clubs will face each other at Cheney Stadium on Wednesday, September 18 at 7:00 p.m. PT for a match with big implications as the two clubs look to secure a playoff spot.

Tickets for Wednesday’s match are available online, or by calling the Reign FC ticket office at (855)-REIGN-FC.