OL Reign Falls in Penalty Kicks to Chicago in Quarterfinal

OL Reign was knocked out of the NWSL Challenge Cup on Saturday, playing the Chicago Red Stars to a scoreless draw before falling 4-3 in kicks from the penalty mark. The club finished the tournament with a 1-1-3 record and four clean sheets.

“I’m very sad for the players,” OL Reign head coach Farid Benstiti said. “I think the second half was very good. I was sure that we could score. We had some opportunities, but we didn’t score. We must be efficient when we play very well, when we have advantage, possessions, when the enemy is down. At this time we must be more efficient, but I’m proud of the players today.”

OL Reign put Chicago under pressure over the course of 90 minutes, out-shooting the Red Stars 15-10 and forcing keeper Alyssa Naeher into making six saves.

When the time came for kicks from the mark, Julie Ertz, Vanessa DiBernardo, Kealia Watt and Rachel Hill all converted for Chicago. Nicole Momiki, Darian Jenkins and Bethany Balcer all scored for OL Reign, but Shirley Cruz and Lauren Barnes were unable to convert their kicks as the club was eliminated from the competition.

“I think we will be very competitive next year,” Benstiti said. “I know my players more now. We have four defenders that are very strong. Lu (Barnes) today played left back, and she was very, very good. We have some options, offensively and in the midfield, when Allie Long comes back. Next season we will be stronger.”