By Charles Hamaker
Seattle, WA – In their first NWSL regular season contest in 14 days, the OL Reign grinded their way to a 2-2 draw against the visiting Chicago Red Stars. The home side Reign took the lead early with Jordyn Huitema’s first NWSL regular season goal, but a few mistakes following that gave Chicago a lead. Rose Lavelle came to the rescue in the late stages of the match, burying an equalizer to split points against the Red Stars. The Reign remain at fifth place in the league table.
The Reign celebrate Rose Lavelle's goal (Photo by Marriah Menchaca)
Huitema punches through for first
21-year-old forward Jordyn Huitema is an exciting talent and will “hopefully” be a difference maker for years to come at Lumen field. While it has taken a little bit for the Canadian to get on the score board, she made a splash to begin this September 9th matchup. The Reign had several chances on goal, but it was Huitema who was able to burst through first.
Earlier into the 18th minute, Huitema received a ball inside the Chicago box from teammate Sofia Huerta. Huitema was one of three Reign players in a congested box, and her initial shot bounced off of a Red Stars defender. Huitema remained ready, pouncing on the rebound and slamming it past Chicago keeper Alyssa Naeher. While her goal was important, Huitema and the forward group helped the Reign out defensively. Huitema discussed the defensive effort postgame.
"Yeah, I thought all four of the frontline worked really hard defensively. We knew they were going to have to and considering, especially what (forward) Jordyn (Huitema), (midfielder) Rose (Lavelle) and (forward Megan Rapinoe) Pinoe have had to do in the last week, I thought it was an exceptional shift by them," Huitema reflected.
Jordyn Huitema celebrates her first NWSL regular season goal (Photo by Marriah Menchaca)
Mistakes lead to Chicago advantage
After the early success of the Reign attack, some mistakes caused some frustration and havoc for the Reign. Despite the remaining presence of an aggressive Reign front, the home side failed to put anything past Naeher, who continued to be a brick wall in net. Chicago finally got a counter attack going, right as the halftime whistle approached. Chaos in the Reign box occurred after Phallon Tullis-Joyce guided a ball away from goal. The Reign were unable to properly clear the ball, or even get it out for a goal kick. Ella Stevens side stepped a Reign defender, and powered the ball past Tullis-Joyce in net.
In the 67th minute, another disaster affected the Reign negatively. A hand ball in the box against Sam Hiatt gave the Red Stars a penalty kick and a chance to take the lead. Danielle Colaprico shot the ball the other way, sailing past Phallon Tullis-Joyce into the net. All of the sudden after their fun start, the Reign were in a hole.
The Red Stars celebrate a goal (Photo by Marriah Menchaca)
That Rose-y feeling
Midfielder Rose Lavelle has been an immediate impact player for the Reign ever since acquiring her rights via trade. The United States women’s national team standout has been another star addition to the Reign midfield, pairing well with Jess Fishlock often throughout the season. With Jess Fishlock out of this match, Lavelle ensured that her fingerprints were all over this match
In the 80th minute, the Reign played the ball from all the way in their back line. Rose Lavelle received the ball from just within the half way mark of the pitch, and sliced through the Chicago defense. With a defender on her hip, Lavelle fired a shot towards net from the top line of the Red Stars box. The 27-year-old slammed the ball up and over a lunging Naeher, giving the Reign an equalizer. Lavelle almost had the match winner in the 93rd minute as hell on a header, but the ball hit the cross bar.
Rose Lavelle looks to make a pass (Photo by Marriah Menchaca)
What it means
This is an “okay” result for the Reign, considering that a few sloppy mistakes ruined a chance at three points. With a team like Chicago right on their tail (the Reign sitting at fifth, Red Stars sitting at sixth), a win in this situation puts yourself in a great position to move ahead. Not only that, the Reign are only three points out of the highest spot in the league table. The Reign seemingly just need to clean up a few leaks that they have, and the ship will be sailing full steam ahead with the season winding down.
What’s next?
The next matchup for the Reign comes on September 17th, as the Reign travel to North Carolina to take on the Courage. A club that the Reign have an all-time losing record against (the Courage have a 10-3-4 record against the Reign), the Reign look to maintain collect three points. Kickoff between the two clubs it’s at 4:30PM PST.
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