Match Recap: Reign FC Earns Three Points on the Road in Louisville

In a match that was postponed due to weather, the Reign came up big on the road, earning a gritty 1-0 win in a windy match against Racing Louisville FC. Forward Maddie Dahlien’s 39th minute goal made all the difference for the team. 

Though Louisville started with possession, the Reign were quickly off to the races in the first minute of the match, taking the ball from the home side in transition and threading together an attack to threaten Louisville’s backline and send an early warning sign. 

Just one minute later, defender Lauren Barnes served a corner kick into play for the Reign. It sliced through the center of the box, catching a small deflection before falling to the feet of defender Madison Curry at the top of the 18, who unleashed a shot toward goal, but it went barely high. 

It was Reign FC again, in the third minute of the match, putting the pressure on Louisville. Forward Lynn Biyendolo took her space in the midfield, setting up a threaded pass to Dahlien at the top of the box. Dahlien was able to get a shot off, and direct it on target, but goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer tracked it the whole way. 

As the teams settled into the match, it became an end-to-end battle. Louisville held nearly 60% of possession in the half, challenging the Reign on a few attacking opportunities. In the 19th minute, defender Phoebe McClernon showed her skill as she thwarted a low and hard cross from forward Janine Sonis, using her toe to poke the ball out for a corner kick. 

Against the run of play, the Reign took the lead in the 39th minute of the match. Midfielder Sam Meza won possession of the ball from Louisville and quickly turned to begin a counterattack. She slipped a perfectly weighted ball through the opponent's backline to Dahlien, who dribbled into the box just far enough to draw Bloomer off her line before slotting the ball to the back post to give Reign FC the lead. 

Before the half was over, goalkeeper Claudia Dickey was forced to smother a Racing Louisville attempt on goal, as she dove on the top of the ball near the goal line to preserve the Reign’s lead. 

After the halftime break, Racing Louisville started on the front foot, putting the Reign to the test with a series of attacking plays. The Seattle-based side hunkered down defensively, weathering the storm. 

Louisville managed seven corner kicks and 10 shots throughout the half, but the Reign kept every shot off target and were up to the task, smothering each chance to hold onto the shutout. 

Two minutes into stoppage time, it looked like Biyendolo was through to goal on a pass from substitute Maddie Mercado, but she was whistled offside, and the Reign went back to defending their lead in the match. At the final whistle, the Reign were victorious, picking up a road win in Kentucky. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

• DAHLIEN: Rookie forward Maddie Dahlien scored her second career goal to give Reign FC the lead in the 39th minute of the match. Both of her goals have propelled the Reign to 1-0 victories. 

• MEZA: Midfielder Sam Meza earned the assist on Dahlien’s game-winning goal. This is Meza’s second assist this season. 

UP NEXT: The Reign return to Lumen Field to take on the Washington Spirit on Friday, May 23. Get tickets to the match HERE.