2022 Lookback: Offensive Power
During the 2022 regular season, only 27 players across the league tallied a goal and an assist in the same game. OL Reign is the only team with at least five different players to accomplish this. Forward Bethany Balcer, midfielder Jess Fishlock and defender Sofia Huerta all accomplished this in July, while forward Jordyn Huitema accomplished this feat in October. Forward Megan Rapinoe achieved this twice – both in the month of August.
Bethany Balcer – July 1, 2022, against the North Carolina Courage
On the opening goal of the match, Balcer earned an assist. Her perfectly timed through ball to midfielder Jess Fishlock allowed Fishlock to take just one touch before finding the back of the net.
The pair combined again against the Courage, with the roles reversed this time. It was Fishlock who played Balcer through in the box before Balcer beat her defender and one touched the ball past North Carolina’s goalkeeper.
Jess Fishlock – July 1, 2022, against the North Carolina Courage
Combining with forward Bethany Balcer, Fishlock netted the opening goal of the match against the Courage. After receiving the ball in the box, Fishlock took a lethal first touch before simply tapping the ball into the back of the net.
Fishlock wasn’t finished against the Courage, as she then earned an assist. After receiving the ball outside of the box, Fishlock slotted Balcer a ball into the center of the box, where Balcer one touched it into the goal.
Sofia Huerta – July 30, 2022, against Angel City FC
Huerta scored the game tying goal against Angel City, after OL Reign initially went down 2-0. The defender hit a perfect strike from distance, bringing the game level with the showstopping rocket.
Following her incredible goal, Huerta assisted the game winner in 89th minute of the match. Beating Angel City’s defense to the ball, Huerta got to the endline and served a ball to the center of the box, where forward Tobin Heath was waiting to give OL Reign the lead.
Jordyn Huitema – October 1, 2022, against the Orlando Pride
To assist the opening goal of the match, Huitema got on the end of the deflected through ball from midfielder Quinn and then selflessly played the ball to forward Megan Rapinoe across the box.
Adding OL Reign’s second of the night, Huitema connected with fellow Canadian Quinn, getting on the end of their threw ball. The forward only had to take one touch before slotting the ball past Orlando’s goalkeeper and doubling OL Reign’s lead.
Megan Rapinoe – August 14, 2022, against NJ/NY Gotham FC
The first time Rapinoe tallied a goal and assist was against Gotham FC when she earned the opening assist of the match. She launched a long throw in down the left side of the field and midfielder Rose Lavelle capitalized on a Gotham mistake to one touch the ball into the back of the net.
Before the end of the first half, Rapinoe scored a goal of her own from the penalty spot. Sending the goalkeeper the wrong way, she used her right foot to hit the ball to the right side of the net and double OL Reign’s lead.
Rapinoe scored a second goal in the match after forward Jordyn Huitema played the ball to Rapinoe’s feet inside the box. The forward made no mistake as she rocketed the ball toward the back of the net, scoring at the far post to bring the score to 3-0 in favor of the Reign.
Megan Rapinoe – August 26, 2022, against the Orlando Pride
Rapinoe assisted the 56th minute equalizer against the Pride, starting with a brilliant turn just outside the 18-yard box. She then played a perfectly weighted ball to the back post, where forward Bethany Balcer was there to head the ball into the back of the net.
Rapinoe wasn’t done after assisting the equalizer, though. In stoppage time, the veteran forward scored a stunner of a goal, volleying the cross from defender Sofia Huerta into the back of the net to earn three points for the Reign.