**CHICAGO (November 4, 2021) -** The National Women’s Soccer League announced today the 11 players named to the Team of the Month for the month of October by the NWSL Media Association. Headlined by October Player of the Month Margaret Purce, five of the league’s 10 clubs are represented. Led by the Washington Spirit with four selections, the Chicago Red Stars, NJ/NY Gotham FC and OL Reign each earned two roster spots, while Portland Thorns FC claimed one spot in the month’s best XI.
**GK – Aubrey Bledsoe (WAS):** Bledsoe shined in the league’s final month of regular-season play, notching 17 saves throughout October and garnering a 4-0-1 record in the net.
**D – Caprice Dydasco (NJNY):** A mainstay on the Gotham backline and a strong contender for Defender of the Year, Dydasco contributed an assist in the squad’s 3-2 victory over the Orlando Pride. The defender’s five assists this season rank third in the league.
**D – Sarah Gorden (CHI):** Appearing in every minute of play during the regular season, the ironwoman Gorden was instrumental in the Red Stars’ undefeated record throughout the month and securing the team’s spot in the playoffs.
**D – Sofia Huerta (RGN):** The league assist leader, Huerta played in every minute of OL Reign’s four-game slate in October, dishing out a pair of assists in the Reign’s 3-2 win over Chicago to help clinch a first-round bye in the playoffs.
**D – Sam Staab (WAS):** Staab featured in every minute of the Spirit’s five contests in October and tallied the game-winning assist with a highlight-reel feed to Trinity Rodman in the team’s 1-0 win over the Houston Dash on October 31.
**M – Jessica Fishlock (RGN):** Fishlock made her presence in the OL Reign midfield known in October and shined in the Reign’s 3-2 win over Chicago, notching her first brace of the season.
**M – Morgan Gautrat (CHI):** Gautrat tallied an assist in the squad’s final regular-season matchup against the Orlando Pride.
**M – Angela Salem (POR):** Salem was heavily involved in the Thorns’ attack from the midfield throughout the month, helping the team close out the regular season before beginning their quest for a third NWSL Championship.
**F – Ashley Hatch (WAS):** The NWSL’s Golden Boot winner for the 2021 season, Hatch was sensational throughout the month, notching a trio of goals, including a brace in the Spirit’s 3-0 win against Racing Louisville FC, to solidify the league’s top scoring honor and lead her team into the playoffs.
**F – Margaret Purce (NJNY):** Earning her first Player of the Month honor of the 2021 season, Purce enjoyed her best month offensively, notching three goals in October and extending her scoring totals to nine tallies on the year, good for second in the league.
**F – Trinity Rodman (WAS):** A given on the Rookie of the Year shortlist, Rodman was very active in the final third for the Spirit this month, assisting on two goals in Washington’s 3-0 win over Racing and notching the lone goal of the Spirit’s final regular-season match against the Dash.
*The NWSL Team of the Month is selected each month of the regular season by the NWSL Media Association, a collection of writers that cover the league on a consistent basis.*

Match Highlights

Match Highlights