Four OL Reign Players Named to 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup All-Tournament Team

The National Women’s Soccer League announced today the 11 players named to the 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup All-Tournament Team by the NWSL Media Association. Headlined by 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup MVP Debinha, four of the league’s 12 clubs are represented. Led by OL Reign with four selections, the North Carolina Courage and Washington Spirit each earned three roster spots, while the Kansas City Current claimed one spot on the Cup’s all-tournament team.

OL Reign players Phallon Tullis-Joyce, Sofia Huerta, Alana Cook and Rose Lavelle were selected to the team.

Tullis-Joyce was a standout player for the Reign during the Challenge Cup. Prior to the tournament, the young goalkeeper had only made one appearance for the Reign. She stepped into the net with confidence and quickly cemented her place on the field, earning three Save of the Week honors during the tournament. With 24 saves across seven matches and two shutouts, she was an integral part of OL Reign’s first-seed finish in the group stage.

Huerta and Cook were both impressive for OL Reign as part of the team’s backline. Huerta scored OL Reign’s first goal of 2022 in the team’s tournament opener against their fiercest rival, Portland Thorns FC. Her 92 percent tackle rate, nine clearances and eight interceptions were huge on defense, while her 262 successful passes and eight key passes added to the Reign’s offense.

Cook was as reliable for OL Reign at the center back position, with an 80 percent pass rating. She finished 60 percent of tackles and collected 20 interceptions while making 28 clearances. Cook also scored her first goal for the Reign in the team’s 3-1 win over Angel City FC.

Lavelle shined in the midfield for the Reign, appearing in five matches during the Challenge Cup. She scored one goal and notched one assist. The crafty midfielder added 12 key passes for the Reign and managed an 85% tackle success rate.

2022 NWSL Challenge Cup All-Tournament Team:

Kristen Hamilton | Kansas City Current – Hamilton was electric for the Current, notching five goals throughout the Challenge Cup, including one in three straight games to finish out the tournament.

Ashley Hatch | Washington Spirit – Helping Washington to its third championship event in the NWSL, Hatch led the Cup scoring effort with six goals, including a goal in the tournament final against North Carolina and a brace in a 2-2 draw during group play.

Trinity Rodman | Washington Spirit – Rodman enjoyed a productive Challenge Cup, notching four goals and a trio of assists to help her team to the tournament final. Rodman also tallied 22 shots throughout the tournament, good for top three in the league alongside fellow teammates Ashley Hatch and Ashley Sanchez.

Debinha | North Carolina Courage – Now a two-time Challenge Cup MVP, Debinha continued her scoring ways in this year’s tournament, tallying five goals and assisting on the opening strike in North Carolina’s 2-1 victory over Washington in the Challenge Cup championship. 

Rose Lavelle | OL Reign – Lavelle notched a goal and an assist in five games for the Reign, helping them to a semifinal appearance. The midfielder also enjoyed a 77 percent pass rating and finished 85 percent of tackles. 

Ashley Sanchez | Washington Spirit – Sanchez tallied a pair of goals and an assist and recorded a tournament-high 23 shots while her 12 shots on target ranked second in the league.

Alana Cook | OL Reign – Cook reliably patrolled the defensive end in seven games for OL Reign, securing an 80 percent pass rating, finishing 60 percent of tackles and collecting 20 interceptions.

Abby Erceg | North Carolina Courage - Captaining the Courage to its first NWSL Challenge Cup Championship, Erceg was rock solid on the North Carolina backline, tallying 35 clearances, nine blocks and 20 interceptions.

Sofia Huerta | OL Reign – Huerta earned an exceptional 92 percent tackle rate in seven contests for the Reign and tallied a goal in a 1-1 draw to Cascadia rival Portland Thorns FC.

Carson Pickett | North Carolina Courage – An integral part of North Carolina Challenge Cup championship run, Pickett enjoyed stellar numbers in both passing efficiency and success in the air and notched a pair of assists throughout the tournament.

Phallon Tullis-Joyce | OL Reign – Tullis-Joyce shined in goal for OL Reign, registering a pair of shutouts and 24 saves in seven matches, helping her team to the Challenge Cup semifinals as the top seed.

The 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup All-Tournament Team was selected by the NWSL Media Association, a collection of writers that cover the league on a consistent basis.