Photo Credit - Orlando Pride Media.
Copper Queens skipper Barbra Banda grabbed her first brace and assist of the season in Orlando Pride’s 6-0 victory over Chicago Red Stars in the opening match of the National Women's Soccer League at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Friday.
The six goals served as the most goals scored by the Pride in a single match, previously doing it last season against the Utah Royals. The win is also the club’s first-ever win on its opening night to the regular season.
Banda was able to put the game away with two late goals, which makes her the team leader to starts the season. Last season’s Golden Boot runner-up started the season where she left off securing her fifth brace of the regular season in her NWSL career.
Just minutes after scoring her first goal of the season, Banda was able to add to the high-scoring night with her second goal of the match. Banda intercepted a Chicago Stars FC pass and fired a shot from beyond the box that found the back of the net.
Banda has now tied Marta’s Club record for matches with at least one goal and one assist, each having done so on four separate occasions. Haley McCutcheon got the scoring started early in the match, with her teammates following in her footsteps. Ally Watt, and Julie Doyle added to the tally while the Pride also earned a goal from a Chicago own goal.
Three Pride players recorded their first assists of the regular season with Morgan Gautrat, Banda and Marta picking up assists. Marta extended her club record in assists to 20 helpers across all competitions.
Comments