SAN DIEGO, Calif. (Aug. 13, 2022) — Orlando Pride (4-5-6, 18 points) built upon its current points streak on Saturday evening, earning a 1-0 victory over the San Diego Wave (7-5-4, 25 points) to extend its unbeaten run to six games.
The Pride were backed by a first half penalty kick from Meggie Dougherty Howard, the lone goal in the game, while the defense earned its fourth clean sheet of the regular season. Dougherty Howard’s goal marked her first in a Pride jersey and the team’s second penalty goal of the year.
Erin McLeod made six saves in the match, including a couple late to preserve the victory, with the shutout marking the third across the Pride’s current six game run.
Midfielder Erika Tymrak also made her 150th regular season appearance, with the 2013 NWSL Rookie of the Year becoming the 11th player to hit the mark in league history.
Acting Orlando Pride Head Coach Seb Hines:
“[The win] was massive. We’re running out of games, as we’re coming toward the end of the season. I’ve said from the start we are reaching to get to the playoffs and it’s important that we start picking up wins and three points, and what a better way to do it than a one-nil win away from home? I’ll keep saying it, we have to keep this momentum going, we have to look at the next game. Obviously enjoy the moment right now but we’re looking forward to Gotham to try to get three points away from home again.”
Scoring Recap:
23’ Meggie Doughery Howard (PK) - ORL 1, SD 0
The Pride opened the scoring off the foot of midfielder Meggie Dougherty Howard, who tucked a penalty kick into the left post for her first of the season. The penalty was earned after rookie forward Julie Doyle played a cross into the box that was batted down by a Wave defender, with the goal proving to be the only in the match.
Match Notes:
- Meggie Dougherty Howard scored her first goal in a Pride uniform with the 23rd-minute goal, the first penalty kick attempt of her NWSL career as well. The goal marked the midfielder’s second-ever NWSL goal, the first coming on Aug. 4, 2017 in a 4-1 with the Washington Spirit.
- With the start, midfielder Erika Tymrak made her 150th NWSL regular season appearance, becoming the 11th player in NWSL history to hit the mark.
- Goalkeeper Erin McLeod picked up her fourth shutout of the regular season and fifth across all competitions
- The scoreline marked the second 1-0 win over a West Coast expansion opponent this season, after previously beating Angel City FC by the same score on May 8
- Dougherty Howard’s goal also marked the second penalty goal of the season for the Pride, after a May 14 goal by Toni Pressley
- The victory extended the Pride’s current unbeaten streak to six games, dating back to July 3, with two victories in the time - both coming in the form of shutouts.
- The Pride victory capped off a nine-point weekend for the Club, after MLS side Orlando City SC beat New York Red Bulls 1-0 and MLS NEXT Pro side Orlando City B defeated NYCFC II 2-0.
Next Match: The Pride remain on the road, next traveling to face NJ/NY Gotham FC in Pennsylvania, with an Aug. 20 match at Subaru Park. That game will kick off at 7 p.m. ET.
