UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Several Penn State women's soccer alumni had standout performances in the first week of the NWSL Challenge Cup.
PSU alums Sam Coffey, Ellie Jean, Ali Krieger, Erin McLeod, Alyssa Naeher and Kaleigh Riehl all saw action with their respective clubs this weekend.
The 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup features three regional groups of four teams. The groups compete in double round-robin matches ahead of the semifinal round and the NWSL Challenge Cup Final on Saturday, May 7.
PORTLAND THORNS FC – SAM COFFEY
Recent PSU graduate Sam Coffey (2019-21) made her professional and Portland Thorns FC debut in the opening game of the Challenge Cup versus OL Reign on Friday, March 18. The rookie midfielder started the match and logged 90 minutes in the 1-1 draw.
A week prior on March 11 in the Thorns' Preseason Tournament, Coffey scored the game winner in a 1-0 victory over the Chicago Red Stars. A shot by forward Sophia Smith deflected off the post, which Coffey booted past fellow PSU alum Alyssa Naeher from outside the box in the 73rd minute.
Providence Park, meet Sam Coffey! 😤 #BAONPDX pic.twitter.com/HaxwsNucxx
— Portland Thorns FC (@ThornsFC) March 12, 2022
Next, Coffey and the Portland Thorns will play at San Diego Wave FC on Saturday, March 26.
NY/NJ GOTHAM FC – ELLIE JEAN AND ALI KRIEGER
A pair of PSU alums, Ali Krieger (2003-06) and Ellie Jean (2015, 2017-19) had debuts with Gotham FC in the club's opening Challenge Cup match versus NC Courage on Saturday, March 19.
Krieger started in her club debut with Gotham FC after she and Ashlyn Harris were traded by the Orlando Pride in December.
After most recently playing for PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands, Jean was signed to Gotham FC on Jan. 31. She made her NWSL debut in the match by entering the contest as a substitution.
Gotham FC remains on the road and will play the Washington Spirit on Friday, March 25.
ORLANDO PRIDE – ERIN MCLEOD
Erin McLeod (2004-05) earned her first clean sheet for the Orlando Pride in a scoreless draw against the reigning NWSL Champion Washington Spirit on Saturday, March 19 in the NWSL Challenge Cup.
McLeod tallied four saves on the night to keep the Spirit scoreless.
Beautiful move, @erinmcleod18 up to the task though 🙌@ORLPride | #PrideOfOrlando pic.twitter.com/hHJy36jdi9
— National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) March 19, 2022
Orlando Pride's next match in the Challenge Cup is against the North Carolina Courage on Saturday, March 26.
CHICAGO RED STARS – ALYSSA NAEHER
USWNT keeper and PSU alum Alyssa Naeher (2006-09) started in goal and notched four saves in the Chicago Red Stars 3-1 rout of the Houston Dash on Sunday, March 20 in the NWSL Challenge Cup.
After conceding the first goal of the game in the 18th minute, Chicago would score three unanswered goals while Naeher saved four Dash attempts, three of which occurred in the second half.
Chicago's next Challenge Cup match is versus the Kansas City Current on Friday, March 25.
SAN DIEGO WAVE FC – KALEIGH RIEHL
Kaleigh Riehl (2015, 2017-19) scored the first goal in San Diego FC history in the club's inaugural match vs. Angel City FC in the NWSL Challenge Cup on Saturday, March 19.
Riehl, a defender who entered the game at halftime, checked the ball into the net off a corner kick by Marleen Schimmer for the Wave's 1-1 equalizer in the 81st minute. The match ended in the 1-1 draw.
Riehl Good Timing ⏰@sandiegowavefc have their first goal in club history 👏 pic.twitter.com/bNnl7pYdrF
— National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) March 20, 2022
Next, San Diego will host Portland Thorns FC on Saturday, March 26.