OL Reign ended their Challenge Cup bid Monday night with a 2-1 victory over Kansas City.
A late push helped the Reign secure their second win of the tournament and finish second in the West, behind the championship-bound Portland Thorns.
Kansas City struck first in the 6th minute. Mallory Weber, receiving the ball at the top of the box, cut infield to beat her defender before launching a curling shot into the upper 90.
Weber’s laser of a goal put Kansas City up 1-0 early.
It's a Weber Worldie 👀🚀#KCvRGN | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #CC21 pic.twitter.com/p1iW0dpdRH
— National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) May 4, 2021
Kansas City’s lead wouldn’t last long.
Jess Fishlock converted from the penalty spot in the 34th minute after teammate Tziarra King drew a foul inside Kansas City’s box. The veteran’s clutch finish tied the game up just before the half.
Cool, calm, collected from @JessFishlock 💥#KCvRGN | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #CC21 pic.twitter.com/HoBjEpnleR
— National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) May 4, 2021
The second half featured more offensive chances that tested both keepers.
Nicole Barnhart came up big for Kansas City in the 84th minute, denying Bethany Balcer’s shot off a breakaway.
A big save for for @nbarnhart 🙌#KCvRGN | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #CC21 pic.twitter.com/feBhRZUzso
— National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) May 4, 2021
Despite the giant save, Balcer’s offensive effort earned her team a corner, and just a minute later, OL Reign was back on the board.
Celia Jimenez Delgado got on the end of OL Reign’s set piece, heading the ball right back where it came from, over the gloves of Barnhart.
A head above the rest 👌#KCvRGN | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #CC21 pic.twitter.com/IzLqMR8HxT
— National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) May 4, 2021
OL Reign held onto their 2-1 lead for the last ten minutes of the match, locking in an important away win.
The victory helped contribute to the team’s 2-1-1 Challenge Cup record, while KC fell to the bottom of the West standings with a record of 0-3-1.
Both teams will now gear up for the NWSL regular season, set to begin May 15.