Match Recap: OL Reign Falls 2-1 in NWSL Championship

In a hard-fought Championship match, OL Reign ended their 2023 campaign with a 2-1 loss to Gotham FC.  

The Reign started the game strong, sending early warning signs to Gotham FC with a good-looking offensive build. However, the match took an unfortunate turn around the fifth minute, when OL Reign forward Megan Rapinoe sustained a non-contact injury and had to be subbed off the field in the final game of her career. 

Forward Bethany Balcer subbed onto the field after Rapinoe was helped off and as play continued, the Reign worked to recover from the unexpected early change. Gotham FC found the opening goal of the night about 20 minutes later. Margaret Purce got the ball to the endline and cut it back across the box, finding the feet of Lynn Williams, who one touched it into the back of the net. 

Just five minutes later, OL Reign found an equalizer. Balcer threaded midfielder Rose Lavelle behind Gotham's backline, putting the creative player one vs. one with Mandy Haught in goal for Gotham. Lavelle made no mistakes as she won the battle and found the back of the net, bringing the score level at one goal each. 

Before the half was over, Gotham FC scored once again to retake the lead. Purce earned her second assist of the night as she served a corner kick into the Reign’s 18-yard box and Esther connected on her header, sending the ball into the back of the net to score the eventual game winner. 

After halftime, the Reign retook the pitch with energy, but were still unable to break Gotham down and find an equalizer. In the 60th minute of the match, OL Reign had a good chance on goal, but forward Veronica Latsko’s one vs. one shot against Haught was saved. 

Head coach Laura Harvey began to bring subs onto the field as the Reign pushed to find an all-important goal. The match grew chippier as time went on and OL Reign continued to try to break Gotham’s high-line and force the ball behind the defense. 

Deep into stoppage time of the match, OL Reign had one last opportunity to score a goal as Haught handled the ball outside of the box and was dealt a straight. Gotham, who were unable to make a sub, had to put defender Nealy Martin in goal for the rest of the match. The Reign’s free kick did not find the target and Gotham saw the match through. 

At the final whistle, OL Reign fell 2-1, ending their 2023 season just shy of an NWSL Championship. 

MATCH SUMMARY 

2023 NWSL Championship 

OL Reign 1 – 2 NJ/NY Gotham FC 

Date/Time: Saturday, November 11, 5:00 p.m. PT 

Location: Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, CA 

Weather: 66, clear 

Scoring Summary 

RGN: Lavelle – 29'  

NJNY: Williams – 24', Esther – 45+2’ 

Discipline  

RGN: Sonnett – 87’ 

NJNY: Haught – 90+7’, Juan Carlos Amorós – 90+8’ 

Lineups 

RGN: GK Dickey, D Huerta, D Cook, D Barnes (c), D McClernon, M Lavelle, M Sonnett, M Fishlock (Bennett 85’), F Latsko (Quinn 76’), F Huitema, F Rapinoe (Balcer 6’) 

Unused substitutes: GK Ivory, M Angelina, M Stanton, D Hiatt, F King, M Van der Jagt 

Total Shots: 7 (Lavelle – 2) 

Shots on Goal: 2 (Latsko, Lavelle– 1) 

Fouls: 4 (Sonnett – 2) 

Offsides: 5 

Corner Kicks: 1 

Saves: 0 

NJNY: GK Haught, D Bruninha, D Krieger ©, D Lopez, M Martin, M Sheehan (Long 82’), M Ryan (Farrelly 69’), F Gonzalez (Stengel 89’), F Williams, F Purce, F Nighswonger 

Unused substitutes: GK Betos, D O’Hara, D Edmonds, M Shim, M Mewis, D Jean 

Total Shots: 9 (Three tied with – 2) 

Shots on Goal: 2 (Gonzalez, Williams– 1) 

Fouls: 11 (Krieger, Williams – 2) 

Offsides: 1 

Corner Kicks: 2 

Saves: 1 (Haught – 1)  

Referee: Ekaterina Koroleva 

Assistant Referee 1: Jennifer Garne 

Assistant Referee 2: Katarzyna Wasiak 

4th Official: Anya Voigt 

VAR: Kevin Broadley 

AVAR: Maggie Short