Reign FC Take Control Of Playoff Fate With Late Winner
Reign FC 2
Utah Royals FC 1
NWSL Regular Season
September 25, 2019
Tacoma, WA – Cheney Stadium
Reign FC welcomed the Utah Royals FC in a rescheduled match Wednesday evening in Tacoma with significant playoff position on the line. The winner would be in the driver seat with two matches remaining. A draw would favor the visitors who had the goal difference tie breaker.
Bethany Balcer put the home side into the lead in the first half, slotting her fifth goal of the season and making her case for league rookie of the year that much stronger.
Utah leveled. Katie Stengel brought the match to 1-1 in the 67th minute.
With stoppage time looming, Jodie Taylor made it 2-1 and perhaps not only salvaged three points, but perhaps the Reign FC season and playoff spot.
With RFC facing their Cascadia rivals on Sunday on ESPN, they still control their fate. With Utah traveling on to play in Chicago on Saturday, much will be known prior to kickoff Sunday AM.
Photos by Maddy Grassy
Attendance: 5,015
Scoring Summary
RFC – Bethany Balcer (Jodie Taylor) 40’
UTA – Katie Stengel 67’
RFC – Jodie Taylor (Darian Jenkins) 86’
Misconduct Summary
RFC – Kristen McNabb (caution) 77’
Lineups & Stats
RFC: GK Casey Murphy, D Steph Catley, D Lauren Barnes, D Rebecca Quinn, D Celia Jiménez Delgado, M Allie Long (Rumi Utsugi 82’), M Kristen McNabb, M Bev Yanez, F Darian Jenkins, F Jodie Taylor (Steph Cox 90’), F Bethany Balcer (Ifeoma Onumonu 52’)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Lydia Williams, D Theresa Nielsen, M Rosie White, F Shea Groom
Head Coach: Vlatko Andonovski
Shots: 10
Shots on goal: 5
Fouls: 14
Corner kicks: 6
Saves: 7
UTA: GK Nicole Barnhart, D Mallory Weber, D Becky Sauerbrunn, D Rachel Corsie, D Gunnhildur Jonsdottir, M Vero Boquete, M Lo’eau Labonta, M Desiree Scott, F Christen Press, F Katie Stengel (Katie Bowen 84’), F Amy Rodriguez
Substitutes Not Used: GK Abby Smith, D Gaby Vincent, D Michelle Maemone, D Maddie Nolf, M Erika Tymrak, M Raisa Strom-Okimoto
Head Coach: Laura Harvey
Shots: 14
Shots on goal: 8
Fouls: 12
Corner kicks: 4
Saves: 3
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