A traumatic week for the NWSL’s Sky Blue FC, which had head coach Christy Holly suddenly step down and former national team captain Christie Pearce shut down for season because ofinjuries, ended on a bright note as Samantha Kerr set a league record with four goals to reserve a 3-0 halftime deficit and defeat the Seattle Reign, 5-4.
Kerr’s first three goals erased the Reign’s 3-0 lead and her fourth goal won the game inthe fourth minute of stoppage time, three minutes after teammate Maya Hayes evened the score at 4-4.
Kerr became the first player in NWSL history to score two hat tricks in oneseason while also reclaiming the league-lead with 15 goals.
“This comeback showed huge character,” she said. “We can’t keep conceding lots of goals like we havebeen, but I know we will continue to grow. I am really proud of my teammates because we fought through and found a way to win the game.”
The victory ended a three-game losing streakand moved sixth-place Sky Blue to within one point of the Reign and three of fourth-place Orlando, which won its third game in a row.
Since the middle of May, Kerr has scored aleague-high 15 goals for Sky Blue in addition to four goals for Australia, helding the Matildas win the Tournament of Nations.
Kerr is one of 10 players
NWSL Leading Scorers:
G PLAYER (TEAM)
15 Samantha Kerr (Sky Blue FC)
12 Megan Rapinoe (Seattle)
11 Marta (Orlando)
9Christen Press (Chicago)
7 Alex Morgan (Orlando)
Bravo Sam Kerr! She is red hot!
Spell check strikes again. “Reverse” was intended. “Reserve” was not red-lined. Good for you, Sam Kerr, just the same.