Davis’s goal pushes Racing Louisville over OL Reign to NWSL UKG Challenge Cup Final

SEATTLE, WA – Racing Louisville FC is set to make history with their first-ever competitive final appearance in all NWSL competitions this upcoming weekend, following a hard-fought 1-0 victory over OL Reign. Kirsten Davis, the forward for Louisville, secured her team’s place in the UKG NWSL Challenge Cup Final with a goal in the first half, and despite OL Reign’s efforts to equalize, they were consistently denied. Racing Louisville FC will now face the Courage in the final showdown scheduled for Saturday afternoon.

Here’s a breakdown of the key moments from the match:

1. Early Scare: Just minutes into the game, Louisville faced an early scare as Reign’s pressure forced a clearance attempt by Racing goalkeeper Katie Lund. The clearance hit two Reign players before narrowly missing the goal.
2. Reign’s First Shot: In the 10th minute, OL Reign managed their first shot, courtesy of Tziarra King. A defensive pass found King just outside the box, and she took a long-range shot, which Lund comfortably saved.
3. Louisville’s Opportunity: Louisville had their chance when midfielder Savannah DeMelo took a shot from close range, but it lacked the power to beat Reign goalkeeper Laurel Ivory.
4. Kirsten Davis’ Goal: In the 30th minute, Kirsten Davis intercepted the ball deep in Reign territory and clinically slotted it into the bottom left corner, giving Louisville the lead.
5. Second-Half Drama: The second half saw plenty of action, including a penalty awarded to OL Reign but later overturned after VAR intervention. Instead, Reign received a free-kick just outside the box.
6. Late Opportunities: As OL Reign pushed for an equalizer, substitute Jordyn Huitema had a great chance near the post in the 82nd minute but missed the target with her header.

The final whistle confirmed Racing Louisville FC’s hard-earned road victory, securing their spot in the final against the Courage. Kirsten Davis’ goal in the 28th minute proved to be the decisive moment of the match, setting the stage for an exciting final showdown.

Originally posted 2023-09-07 21:14:13.