UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn state alumnae Christine Nairn '12 and Amanda Dennis '19 were crowned NWSL Challenge Cup champions on Sunday, July 26. The Houston Dash topped the Chicago Red Stars 2-0 to win the first title in the history of the organization.
Nairn, a three-time All-American as a Nittany Lion, appeared in four games for the Dash with one start during the tournament. Nairn was crucial in the Dash's quarterfinal win over Utah Royals FC. The Dash edged Utah 3-2 on penalty kicks. Nairn buried her PK to give the Dash a 2-1 advantage. At the time of the quarterfinal match, Nairn was the only player to participate in both penalty kick shootouts in NWSL history.
Amanda Dennis was in her rookie campaign for the Dash after serving as the Nittany Lions starting keeper for three seasons. Dennis capped her Nittany Lion career with 202 saves, 45 wins, 24 shutouts and a 0.77 goals against average in 6,129 minutes played in her Penn State career.
Alyssa Naeher '09 started six games in goal for the Chicago Red Stars, making 20 saves which was second in the tournament. The two-time World Cup champion helped lead the Red Stars to their second consecutive final.
Other Nittany Lions in the NWSL Challenge Cup
Portland Thorns
Goalkeeper Britt Eckerstrom '15 had arguably the performance of the tournament in Portland's win over the NC Courage. Eckerstrom made 11 saves in the quarterfinal shutout of the Courage. Eckerstrom made two starts in goal for the Thorns, both in the knockout stage of the tournament, and made 14 saves.
For her efforts, Eckerstrom was named to the Best XI of the NWSL Challenge Cup tournament and also was voted as having the Save of the Tournament in the Thorns 1-0 win over the Courage.
Raquel Rodriguez '15 appeared in all six games of the tournament for the Thorns, making five starts. The 2015 MAC Hermann Trophy winner logged 471 minutes played and tallied the lone assist of the 1-0 win over the NC Courage in the first round of the knockout stage.
Emily Ogle '18 appeared in two matches for the Thorns, including one start. The 2018 Big Ten Midfielder of the Year played all 90 minutes in the second game of the tournament in a 0-0 draw against Chicago. Ogle played the entire second half in the semifinals against Houston.
Utah Royals FC
Utah Royals FC rostered the most former Nittany Lions with four during the Challenge Cup.
Elizabeth Ball '17 appeared in five games with four starts for Utah. Ball's four starts were most among Nittany Lions rostered with Utah.
Mallory Weber '15 appeared in four matches with three starts for Utah. Weber tallied six shots during the tournament to go along with 280 minutes played in her four matches.
2018 captain Maddie Nolf started two matches, appearing in three total matches during the tournament. The final Nittany Lion rostered with Utah was Marissa Sheva '18.
Sky Blue FC
Two-time All-American and the No. 11 overall selection in the 2020 NWSL draft Kaleigh Riehl made her NWSL debut in the Challenge Cup. Riehl started and played 77 minutes in Sky Blue's second match against Utah. Riehl continued Penn State's streak of having at least one player selected in every NWSL draft.
Orlando Pride
Former Nittany Lions Ali Krieger '06 and Erin McLeod '06 were both rostered with the Orlando Pride for the NWSL Challenge Cup. The Pride withdrew from the tournament due to positive COVID-19 tests among both players and staff.
For complete stats & coverage of the NWSL Challenge Cup, click here.