Bethany Balcer struck early, becoming the difference maker for the OL Reign in their 1-0 win over the Houston Dash.

Balcer claimed her seventh goal of the season in the seventh minute, the only time anyone would score all game.

With the goal, the forward is now tied with Sydney Leroux, Ashley Hatch and Ifeoma Onumonu in the race for the Golden Boot. Just one back sits Lynn Williams, while four players have five goals apiece, including Balcer’s teammate, Megan Rapinoe.

Balcer has a chance to take the sole lead in the race when the Reign play Louisville on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Bethany Balcer is the NWSL Player of the Week.

Her performance against the Houston Dash on August 7, in which she scored a brace in OL Reign’s 5-1 victory, earned her the accolade.

Balcer has been a force all season for Reign, having played in all 13 matches and starting in six. Currently, she is tied with Ashley Hatch for second in the league’s Golden Boot race with six goals.

It marks the third week in a row that an OL Reign player has earned Player of the Week Honors. Eugenie Le Sommer took the honor last week following a brace against Racing Louisville, while Tziarra King won it the week prior.

OL Reign overcame a late red card to defeat Kansas City 2-0 on Sunday night, snapping the club’s two-game losing streak.

Bethany Balcer struck early for OL Reign, picking off a back pass by Kansas City to put her side up 1-0 in the third minute of play.

Balcer found the back of the net again in the 29th minute, heading home a cross from Sofia Huerta to double the Reign’s lead.

OL Reign ran into trouble in the 70th minute when goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi picked up a red card, forcing the team to play with ten players. Balcer’s early brace, however, helped the Reign hold onto their lead over the final 20 minutes.

With the win, the Reign earned three points in the NWSL standings.

Next up: OL Reign will travel to Chicago to take on the Red Stars on Sunday. Kansas City will host North Carolina on July 23.