UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State women's soccer alumni continued to showcase their talents on the big stage in week three of the National Women's Soccer League regular season.
Eight of the 13 PSU alums currently playing in the NWSL saw action this past weekend. They combined for 442 total minutes with four alums playing the full 90 minutes.
This weekend's slate was highlighted by Kaleigh Riehl's game-winning goal, Emily Ogle's return to the pitch and Rocky Rodriguez's 100th career NWSL appearance.
Read more about their contributions below:
San Diego Wave FC – Kaleigh Riehl
Kaleigh Riehl (2015, 2017-19) scored what would prove to be the game winning goal in the 89th minute off a set piece from Kelsey Turnbow. Riehl's goal was her first of the regular season after she scored the first goal in Wave history during the club's inaugural game vs. Angel City on March 19.
Kaleigh Riehl may have won it for San Diego 👀#SDvCHI | #AllTheAction pic.twitter.com/yM8GtyWc6L
— National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) May 15, 2022
Riehl and the Waves would defeat the Chicago Red Stars 2-1 for their third win in a row. Riehl started the game and played all 90 minutes. The defender finished with one goal, four clearances and one interception. The first-year expansion team is the only club with a perfect 3-0 record in the NWSL.
Houston Dash – Emily Ogle
Emily Ogle (2014-15, 2017-18) appeared in the 72nd minute marking her first return to the pitch since last August when she suffered an ACL injury. The midfielder joined the Dash in 2021 following a trade with Portland. Ogle appeared in 11 matches and had seven starts across all competitions last season before the season-ending injury in August.
We missed ya out there, @e_ogle 🧡#HoldItDown pic.twitter.com/WNIzzE49L7
— Houston Dash (@HoustonDash) May 15, 2022
On Saturday vs Racing Louisville FC, Ogle played 18 minutes and made three successful passes in the 1-1 draw. Next, Ogle will face her former team, the Portland Thorns, on May 21 at Providence Park.
Portland Thorns FC – Raquel "Rocky" Rodriguez and Sam Coffey
Rocky Rodriguez (2012-15) made her 100th career NWSL appearance on Friday, May 13 vs OL Reign. Rodriguez was selected second overall by Sky Blue FC in the 2016 NWSL College Draft, months after she scored the lone goal in the NCAA title game to lift Penn State to its first national championship.
💯 in the @NWSL makes me feel GRATEFUL: for the experiences and the amazing people and friends I've met along the way. May God grant me health and strength to play many more games! 🙌🏼🙏🏼
— "Rocky" Rodríguez (@raque_rocky) May 14, 2022
PS- I love the rose crown @PDXRivetersSG 😍 pic.twitter.com/pMz3NL7q4d
In her NWSL rookie season, she scored one goal in 18 matches, and at the end of the season was named NWSL Rookie of the Year. In 2020, Rodriguez was traded to the Portland Thorns. In the 0-0 draw vs OL Reign on Friday, Rodriguez played 16 minutes while tallying two clearances and two interceptions.
Thorns' teammate and fellow PSU alum Sam Coffey (2019-21) started the match and played all 90 minutes. In the 22nd minute, the rookie midfielder stole a ball on Reign's side of the field and took a shot, but it was saved by the keeper.
Coffey finished the match with three crosses, two interceptions and an 84 percent pass accuracy.
Chicago Red Stars – Alyssa Naeher
Alyssa Naeher (2006-09) started in goal for the Red Stars and finished the match with five saves. Naeher was the backbone of the defense on a night the offense struggled, as they were outshot 19-9 by the San Diego Wave.
Naeher will soon resume national team duty as The U.S. Women's National Team will meet Colombia in late June for two friendly matches. It will be the final games before the USA enters qualification for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup and 2024 Olympics at the Concacaf W Championship.
Orlando Pride – Erin McLeod and Kerry Abello
Pride keeper Erin McLeod (2004-05) made a season-high six saves in a 2-2 draw vs KC Current on Saturday May 14. She started in goal and played all 90 minutes while also finishing with two high claims.
Rookie Kerry Abello (2017-21) appeared in the 60th minute and played the remainder of the match. She finished with one cross, a tackle and an 80 percent pass accuracy.
Kansas City Current – Elizabeth Ball
Elizabeth Ball (2014-17) subbed in the 72nd minute and played the rest of the match. She finished with one clearance and two interceptions.
During what would be the late game-tying penalty kick by the Orlando Pride, Ball was tasked with defending fellow PSU alum Abello on the penalty box perimeter.
KC teammate and PSU alum Maddie Nolf (2014-15, 2017-18) did not appear in the match. Neither did Mallory Weber (2012-15) who is out with a season-ending leg injury she suffered vs Portland during NWSL week one.