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Sofia Huerta scores a banger as OL Reign draw with Thorns

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OL Reign's Sofia Huerta battles with Portland's Sophia Smith on Friday. (Jeff Halstead/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

OL Reign and the Portland Thorns began their respective Challenge Cup campaigns on Friday night, playing to a 1-1 draw in front of a 7,343-person crowd at Lumen Field in Seattle.

The hosts started off on the front foot, applying steady pressure to Portland’s defense. OL Reign broke through in the 19th minute when defender Sofia Huerta delivered a strike from long range to put her side up 1-0.

Christine Sinclair responded for the Thorns just minutes later, finishing a deflected Sophia Smith shot for the equalizer.

Despite a flurry of chances for both sides in the second half, the scoreline remained at 1-1 until the final whistle.

Next up: Challenge Cup play continues on March 26, with OL Reign taking on Angel City FC and Portland meeting San Diego Wave FC.