Forward Bethany Balcer Nominated for NWSL Player of the Week
Over the weekend, OL Reign picked up a 2-1 win on the road against San Diego Wave FC, maintaining their undefeated record all-time against the Wave. Forward Bethany Balcer scored both of OL Reign’s goals in the match, tallying the first one just eight minutes into the match and scoring the game winner in 77th minute to secure three points for the Reign. For her stellar performance in the match, Balcer has been nominated for NWSL Player of the Week.
The forward led OL Reign in shots (3) and shots on target (2) and took the most touches in the opposition’s 18-yard box. She also was involved in twice the number of duels of any Reign player, coming out on top in a team-leading 10 duels throughout the match. She won five aerial duels and gained possession of the ball for the Reign five times during the match, while adding one cross. The tenacious forward also aided the Reign’s defensive efforts, coming up with a clearance in the match, as well as winning two tackles, tied for the most of any player on the team.
After scoring two goals against San Diego, Balcer leads the team with five goals on the season. She has 27 goals since entering the NWSL in 2019, which ranks fourth in the league. Additionally, Balcer has a league-leading 12 headed goals in her career, four more than the next player. The undrafted forward is one of two players in the NWSL to record at least five goals in every regular season since 2019. Balcer also has seven game-winning goals in her career.
Boats started the scoring early for the Reign, getting her head on the end of a ball in from OL Reign midfielder Quinn in the eighth minute of the match. From the middle of the field, Quinn lofted the ball into the box, where Balcer got in front of San Diego’s defense and gave Wave goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan no chance at saving her headed shot.
Balcer wasn’t finished after one goal, though. After San Diego found an equalizer just two minutes into the second half, the Reign responded in the 77th minute. This time it was defender Sofia Huerta who crossed a ball into the back post, where Balcer used her head to put the ball into the back of the net once again and regain the lead for OL Reign.
Balcer’s brace was the difference maker in the end, boosting OL Reign to three points on the road and third place in the NWSL standings.
Vote for forward Bethany Balcer for NWSL Player of the Week HERE. The poll closes at 7:20 p.m. PT.