The Missouri Reign showed resilience in their 2-1 comeback win against FC Pride. It was a home game held at Marvin Owens Stadium, and the teams first victory of the season. 

Head Coach Dakota Acock remarks that FC Pride is a quality team who is always contending for the playoffs, and one that finished in the final four in 2024. 

“We’ve been in basically every game this season and it just has not come together to get the result we want. We kept telling the girls that we belong competing against these teams,” Acock said. 

The Reign have had a few other comeback attempts this season after getting off to a slow start, but none that the team were able to salvage into a win.

“It’s a program highlight, honestly. We were put to the test last week with running camp, having some conflicts with players and staff, and everybody stepped up to get a good quality team win,” Acock boasted. “Credit to the players and staff for executing our game-plan and for getting one back against them, it is a good showing to reaffirm that this team has the talent to compete against anybody in this league.”

Match Highlights

FC Pride took control of the first 10+ minutes of the game, which garnered them some early shots on goal. However, strong defensive efforts by the Missouri Reign kept the game scoreless.

Goal Keeper Katy Fitzler made an amazing save to preserve the tie in the 18th minute after a breakaway chance by FC Pride striker Brianna Buels.  

FC Pride continued to control a lot of the possession during the first, they generated corner kicks, breakaways, free kicks, and shots on goal, but couldn't break the seal due to some more nice saves from Fitzler. 

The stalemate continued into halftime, FC Pride had many chances, but couldn't break through the impenetrable Reign defense. 

The Pride picked up right where they left off after the half ended, and finally broke through with a goal in the 47th minute by Summer Fishel.

Immediately the Reign responded with a cross into the box followed by a header into the corner of the goal by Amaura Austell to equalize the match.

Fitzler made another fantastic save in the ensuing minutes against Pride striker Buels, who once again created herself a nice breakaway opportunity.

Following each team's first goals the game returned to its equilibrium of strong defensive play.

The Reign caught a break in the 80th minute after a foul in the corner of the box granted them a penalty kick. Georgia Pardalos kept her composure and buried the ball in the top left corner of the net, giving the Reign a late 2-1 lead. 

FC Pride kicked their offense into overdrive as they attempted to find a dramatic equalizer, but got stonewalled by more fantastic Reign defense. These efforts helped secure their first victory of the season.

“What impressed me most is that we had everybody buying in and the energy off the bench. It was infectious, it was fun to be a part of. Everybody played the role and everybody worked,” Coach Acock stated. “Going down one and then responding within the next few minutes, that’s been huge. It steals all the momentum back, and it also is something that we’ve been able to do multiple times this season. That resilience means something in this sport.”

Next Match

The Missouri Reign host their next game tonight at 6:30 against the Missouri Rush at Marvin Owens Stadium. 

The two squads battled earlier in the season, and ended up in a 2-2 tie. Since that match the Rush have lost two straight games against FC Pride and Lou Fusz Athletic. 

The Reign will be looking to build off of the momentum they gained over the weekend. 

“We have to come out with the same intensity we played with on Saturday against FC Pride.  We have to buy in, we have to do our jobs and know our rules and then take advantage of it when your opportunity arises,” Acock said.

He acknowledges that the team did not play perfectly in the win against FC Pride, so they spent some time working out the kinks in practice Monday night. 

“Execution is key, and our staff believes 100% that we will do that,” Acock said.