San Diego Wave FC fell 1-0 to OL Reign in the 2023 NWSL UKG Challenge Cup on Friday Night at Lumen Field. 

After a scoreless first half, OL Reign would take the lead in the 70th minute when midfielder Bethany Balcer converted from the penalty spot. 

San Diego had three shots on goal for the night, with the best opportunity happening in the 30th minute of the match when forward Jaedyn Shaw hit a free kick that found midfielder Taylor Kornieck. Kornieck headed on frame but had her attempt saved by Seattle goalkeeper Claudia Dickey. 

The penalty kick proved to be the only goal of the match, resulting in a 1-0 win for the home team.

Next on the schedule: The Wave return home for the first time in nearly a month to host Angel City FC in the final group match of the 2023 NWSL UKG Challenge Cup on Saturday, Aug. 5. The match is set to kickoff at 4:30 p.m. PT at Snapdragon Stadium and streamed in the U.S. on Paramount+ and internationally on NWSLsoccer.com.

Notes:

  • Defender Abby Dahlkemper was on the active game day roster for the first time since being put on the Season Ending Injury list in Oct. 2022 due to back surgery. She did not appear in the match tonight. 
  • San Diego out-possessed the hosts on the night (41%-59%). 

Box Score:
OL Reign 1-0 San Diego Wave FC

Scoring Summary:
SEA – Balcer (1) (Penalty Kick) 71’

Misconduct Summary:
SD – Hill (Caution) 56’
SD – Pogarch (Caution) 90+’

San Diego Wave FC: GK Yáñez, D Pogarch, D Riehl ©, D Westphal, D Shorts, M Hill (Conners 88’), M Enge, M Kornieck (Turnbow HT), M Colaprico (Dougherty-Howard HT), F Doniak (Barcenas 79’), F Shaw 

Subs not used: GK Brzykcy, M Briede, D Dahlkemper, D Cortez, F Ali

OL Reign: GK Dickey, D Latsko (Canales 90+5), D Hiatt, D McClernon, D Holmes, M Van der Jagt, M Stanton, F Balcer ©, F Athens (Brown 65’), F Bennett (Viggiano 90+5’), F King (Malonson 89’)

Subs not used: GK Ivory, M Fitzgerald, D Livingstone, F Weinert, F Edwards

Stats Summary: SEA / SD
Shots: 10 / 5
Shots on Target: 3 / 3
Saves: 3 / 2
Corners: 2 / 4
Fouls: 16 / 16
Offsides: 7 / 2
Possession: 40.7% / 59.3%