May 20, 2023 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – San Diego Wave FC News Release
San Diego Wave FC defender Kaleigh Riehl
(San Diego Wave FC)
SAN DIEGO, Calif. – San Diego Wave FC (4-3-0, 12 points) looks to close out its three-match road stretch with a win this Saturday in Texas against the Houston Dash (2-2-3, 8 points) at Shell Energy Stadium.
San Diego and Houston met twice in 2022, with the Wave coming out of the series with all six points (2-0-0). In the Wave’s first regular season match as a club, former forward Jodie Taylor scored the lone goal on May 1 to give the team its first three points of 2022. Three months later on Aug. 20, San Diego defeated Houston 3-1 for its final match at Torero Stadium with goals from Alex Morgan, Sofia Jakobsson and Amirah Ali. Jakobsson’s goal marked the forward’s first-ever goal for the Wave.
This past Friday, the Houston Dash won its first home match of the regular season and second overall, taking down the undefeated reigning NWSL champions, the Portland Thorns. Second half goals from Joelle Anderson and Ebony Salmon propelled the Dash to a 2-1 win over Portland.
The San Diego Wave got back on track this past Sunday on the road against the Kansas City Current at Children’s Mercy Park with a 2-0 win and the team’s second clean sheet of the season. With this win, San Diego remained the only team in NWSL history to never lose consecutive road matches in league play.
The Wave’s opening goal came through an own goal forced by Alex Morgan in the 26th minute. Midfielder Belle Briede followed up in the 44th minute, doubling San Diego’s scoreline with a stunning shot from the center of the box, assisted by defender Christen Westphal. Goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan also played a large part in the Wave’s win, recording four saves, including a leaping block to deny Debinha’s free kick in the 64th minute.
Briede’s scored her first goal of the season and the second of her NWSL career this Sunday, while Westphal recorded her second assist of the season. Westphal is now tied with Morgan for most club assists since 2022, each tallying five. Additionally, midfielder Sierra Enge earned her first regular season start and appearance for the Wave, playing all 90 minutes.
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