Week eight in the NWSL saw the North Carolina Courage continue their run at the top of the table with a 2-0 victory over FC Kansas City. The Washington Spirit won the table’s toilet bowl against Houston 2-0, lifting them into ninth place. On Sunday, the Seattle Reign couldn’t break down the Chicago Red Stars, who held on for a 1-0 victory and their third straight win.
The league will be on hiatus this weekend to pause for international fixtures. The USWNT will take on Sweden in Gothernburg on Thursday, and you can catch that game on ESPN2 at 1:30PM ET. In the meantime, to hold you over, here is a look at the best strikes and stops from week eight.
NWSL Goal of the Week Nominees
Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns) with a diving header.
Ashley Hatch (NC Courage) netting her first career NWSL goal.
Mallory Pugh (Washington Spirit) placing it through the keeper’s legs to get her first professional goal.
Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars) making an excellent run in the box to redirect the ball past the goalie.
Winner: Pugh’s first NWSL goal grabbed the headlines, but Horan’s diving, powerful header was clearly the best of the bunch this week.
NWSL Save of the Week Nominees
Adrianna Franch (Sky Blue FC) makes a point-blank range stop in mid-air.
Abby Smith (Boston Breakers) standing tall and halting Marta as she closed down in the box.
Haley Kopmeyer (Seattle Reign) dives to get a touch on the strike to deflect it onto the post.
Stephanie Labbe (Washington Spirit) denies a top corner hit to maintain the Spirit’s lead in the first half.
Winner: Tough call between Franch and Kopmeyer this week, but given the proximity of the header that Franch had to adjust for, she’s got the edge.
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