Match Recap: OL Reign Ends Challenge Cup Run in Penalty Kicks Against Washington

OL Reign fell to the Washington Spirit after a penalty kick shootout in the 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup semifinal. After tying 0-0 in regulation, the teams took nine penalty kicks apiece to decide the winner of the match.  

From the first whistle, OL Reign came out on the front foot. The team, who did not have their best performance on Sunday in their regular season match against Washington, had an immediate intensity in their play. They applied high pressure to Washington, shutting down their offensive plays before they truly had a chance to begin.

Moments of transition were incredibly important in the match. OL Reign was there to collect Washington’s sloppy touches multiple times and created several scoring opportunities from that high pressure but couldn’t quite find the back of the net.

As the end of the first half approached, the teams were deadlocked 0-0, despite the intensity of the game. The Reign continued to force turnovers from Washington, but the finishing touch was missing.

After halftime, the energy of the game was electric. As the game progressed, it became more physical as both teams fought to continue their 2022 Challenge Cup run. In the 63rd minute, it looked like OL Reign had found the go-ahead goal, but it was flagged offside.

On the very last play of the game, OL Reign Megan Rapinoe served a corner kick into the box for OL Reign. The second ball hit the hand of a Washington player, but despite this, the whistle was blown to signify the end of regulation.

The intensity from the game remained through the penalty kick shootout. The shootout went to nine kicks each, before finally ending in favor of Washington. Though the Reign did not come away with a result, the team played a strong match and displayed great resilience.

UP NEXT: OL Reign play Racing Louisville at Lumen Field on Sunday, May 8 at 3:00 p.m. PT.

MATCH SUMMARY

2022 NWSL Challenge Cup

OL Reign 0-0 Washington Spirit

Penalty kicks: 8-9 Washington Spirit

Date/Time: Wednesday, May 4, 2022, 5:00 p.m. PT

Location: Audi Field, Washington, D.C.

Weather: 65, Clear

Scoring Summary

OL Reign 0 (8) - 0 (9) Washington Spirit

RGN: None

WAS: None  

Discipline

RGN: Lavelle (Caution – 18’)

WAS: Roddar (Caution – 87’), Rodman (Caution – 90+1’)

Lineups

RGN: GK Tullis-Joyce, D Barnes (Miramontez 90+2’), D Hiatt, D Cook, D Huerta, M Fishlock, M Van der Jagt (Stanton 81’), M Angelina (King 81’ (Rapinoe 90+2’)), M Lavelle, F Latsko (Watt 57’), F Balcer

Unused substitutes: GK Dickey, D Lopez, M Athens, D McClernon

Total Shots: 21 (Balcer – 7)

Shots on Goal: 8 (Lavelle– 3)

Fouls: 9 (Latsko, Balcer – 2)

Offsides: 4

Corner Kicks: 11

Saves: 5 (Tullis-Joyce – 5)

WAS: GK Kingsbury, D Biegalski, D Staab, D Sonnett, D O’Hara (Heilferty 46’), M Roddar, M Aylmer (Alexander 66’), M Sanchez, F Feist (Bailey 46’), F Rodman, F Hatch

Unused substitutes: D Rodriguez, GK Kerr, M Baggett, D Goff, D Brooks, F Harding

Total Shots: 12 (Sanchez– 5)

Shots on Goal: 5 (Sanchez – 3)

Fouls: 13 (Hatch – 3)

Offsides: 1

Corner Kicks: 5

Saves: 8 (Kingsbury – 8)

Budweiser Player of the Match: Phallon Tullis-Joyce

Referee: Greg Dopka

Assistant Referee 1: Melissa Beck

Assistant Referee 2: Salma Perez

4th Official: Samantha Martinez