**Seattle, Washington –** OL Reign dominated San Diego Wave FC at home on Thursday night, defeating the visitors by a 3-1 scoreline thanks in large part due to an early blitz that saw the hosts score all three goals inside the opening 11 minutes.
Finding the back of the net after just two minutes, midfielder Nikki Stanton opened the scoring for the hosts following a corner kick. With San Diego unable to clear out of its penalty area, the ball bounced around off several both Wave and Reign players before falling to Stanton near the penalty spot. Taking a swing at the loose ball, Stanton connected well and placed her shot to the left side of goal where Wave goalkeeper Carly Telford could not reach it.
Six minutes later, the Reign doubled their lead through an impressive strike from forward Bethany Balcer. Following Telford’s clearance to the middle of the field, Reign’s Olivia Van der Jagt did well to win the ball back and feed Balcer approaching the penalty area. Taking aim from just outside 20 yards, Balcer’s dipping effort was powerful enough to get past Telford on the right side of goal to double her side’s lead.
Then, in the 11 ^th minute, the Reign poured in a third goal to put even more mounting pressure on the visiting Wave. Again following a corner kick that San Diego could not get clear of the penalty area, defender Samantha Hiatt got on the end of a blocked clearance and looped an impressive effort over Telford’s head to the back post to add another for her squad early on.
Down but not out yet, though, San Diego pulled a goal back in the 24 ^th minute to breath life into their own situation. Forward Alex Morgan made a perfectly timed run which allowed midfielder Taylor Kornieck to play the ball over the top and in behind the defense. Morgan then took a quick settling touch and fired low to the far post to beat Reign goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce.
The lone downside for the hosts in the first half came in the 27 ^th minute as forward Tziarra King was required to be replaced by Sofia Huerta due to an apparent injury. However, an impressive opening first half saw them carry a 3-1 lead into the halftime break.
Coming out of the interval, San Diego’s desperation to find a second grew as the half wore on. Substitute Amirah Ali came in in the 55 ^th minute and made a near instant impact for the visitors, streaking down the right side of the penalty area having been played in. Getting on the end of the ball, Ali unleashed a powerful effort that rifled off the post and out of play which gave Tullis-Joyce and the Reign relief.
Then, in the 72 ^nd minute, Morgan against tested Tullis-Joyce this time from a free kick just outside the penalty area. Though she produced plenty of power on the effort, the forward was unable to get the direction required to beat the netminder and pull another back.
Both the Reign and the Wave had penalty shouts in the 81 ^st and 89 ^th minutes respectively, but despite evidence which may suggest otherwise, the appeals were waved off.
In the end, OL Reign’s early dominance paid off as they keep all three points in the 3-1 win over San Diego. The result sees the Reign remain unbeaten heading into a Sunday showdown with Angel City, while San Diego travels to face Portland the same day.

Match Highlights

Match Highlights