San Diego Wave FC fell to OL Reign 3-0 for the first time in the 2023 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup match at Snapdragon Stadium on Wednesday night. 

The Wave started eight new players in the Wednesday night tournament, including goalkeeper Shae Yáñez and midfielder Giovanna DeMarco each earning their first appearance for San Diego and playing the full 90 minutes.

Despite earning the same amount of total shots (7-7), Seattle went ahead in the 29th minute off a goal from Ryanne Browne. Nearly ten minutes into the second half, the Reign doubled its lead off a scrum in the box that Olivia Athens scored. Just six minutes later, Jordyn Huitema secured the 3-0 victory for the visiting side.

BIG WIN FOR OL REIGN 👑 pic.twitter.com/BlQtMWDVVN

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) June 1, 2023

Next on the schedule: San Diego Wave returns to regular season action as the club embarks on a two-match road trip starting with NY/NJ Gotham FC on Sunday, June 4, at 3:00 p.m. PT from Red Bull Arena with the match streaming on CBS Sports Network.

 

Notes:

• Two players made their first career starts for the Wave tonight - Shae Yanez and Giovanna DeMarco. Yanez was signed by San Diego on April 26, 2023 and earned her first appearance and start in tonight’s match. DeMarco made her first-ever appearance after being drafted by the Wave in the 2023 NWSL Draft and has been coming back from injury.
• Midfielder Taylor Kornieck started for the San Diego Wave for the first time since April 15, 2023. Kornieck has made two appearances since coming back from injury, where she made her return on May 20 in the Wave’s 3-0 win over the Houston Dash. 
• Midfielder Meggie Doughtery Howard returned to the midfield tonight, having missed all matches since the club’s home opener when she left with a left upper leg injury. Doughtery Howard made her return in the second half of the team’s match as a substitute in the 78th minute.
• Defender Kaleigh Riehl started and wore the captain’s armband for the first time tonight for the Wave.

A Wednesday win for the Reign #SDvRGN match recap presented by @nationwide pic.twitter.com/jjYAYsMdz0

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) June 1, 2023

 

Box Score:
San Diego Wave 0:3 OL Reign  

Scoring Summary:
SEA - Brown (1) (King) 29’
SEA - Athens (1) 54’
SEA - Huitema (4) 60’

Misconduct Summary:
SEA - Sonnet (Caution) 16’
SD - Kornieck (Caution) 19’
SEA - Stanton (Caution) 21’
SEA - Holmes (Caution) 22’
SEA - Malonson (Caution) 67’
SD - Gyau (Caution) 90’+2
SD - Colaprico (Caution) 90’+4

San Diego Wave FC: GK Yanez, D Pogarch, D McNabb (Girma HT), D Riehl ©, D Gyau, M Hill (Jakobsson HT), M Briede, M DeMarco, M Kornieck (Colaprico 62’), F Ali (Doughtery Howard 78’), F Shaw (Barcenas 62’)

Subs not used: GK Sheridan, M Enge, D Shorts, D Westphal

OL Reign: GK Dickey, D Brown (Huerta 73’), D Cook ©, D Sonnett (Malonson 62’), D Holmes, M Stanton, M Quinn, M Athens (Bennett 62’), F Latsko (Van der Jagt HT), F Huitema (Hiatt 82’), F King

Subs not used: GK Ivory, D Barnes, M Rapinoe, M Luany

Stats Summary: SD / SEA 
Shots: 7 / 7
Shots on Target: 2 / 5
Saves: 2 / 2
Corners: 5 / 3
Fouls: 12 / 11
Offsides: 1 / 1
Possession: 48.6% / 51.4%