OL Reign banked three points in the NWSL Challenge Cup standings, dominating Angel City 3-1 on Saturday at Titan Stadium.
The visitors put the pressure on Angel City early, opening up scoring in the 12th minute. Finding space in the middle of the field, Rose Lavelle laid off a well-placed ball to Veronica Latsko on the left side of the box before the OL Reign forward beat DiDi Haracic one-on-one to take the lead.
Slotted home nice and easy by V ✅@V_Latsko12 | #BoldTogether pic.twitter.com/Is0SLzZWXm
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) March 26, 2022
OL Reign doubled their lead in the 17th minute with Angelina finding center back Alana Cook, who nodded a header past Haracic to put the game at 2-0.
Double delight for @OLReign 🤩@_alana_cook | #BoldTogether pic.twitter.com/1Z6wp6duki
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) March 26, 2022
Things went from bad to worse for Angel City when Savannah McCaskill was shown a red card in the 31st minute, forcing the hosts to play down a player for the remainder of the match.
The goals kept coming after the break, with OL Reign finding the back of the net in the 50th minute. Lavelle spearheaded the buildup play, finding Latsko in the box, who pulled a cross back for Angelina, who was waiting on the back post for the tap-in.
Team goals 🤩@OLReign | #boldtogether pic.twitter.com/JxqjoiPzW4
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) March 26, 2022
Despite the scoreline, Angel City kept up the fight, with Simone Charley energizing Angel City’s attack in the second half.
Tyler Lussi cut OL Reign’s lead in the 67th minute, striking Charley’s cross into the box past Phallon Tullis-Joyce putting the scoreline at 3-1.
.@tyler_lussi snatches one back 👀@weareangelcity | #AngelCityFC pic.twitter.com/zFAuknsxGi
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) March 26, 2022
Angel City’s second-half goal, however, was too little too late, with OL Reign able to hold on for a comfortable win.
OL Reign rises to the top of the Challenge Cup’s West Division, while Angel City falls to fourth place.