Top 5 Goals: NWSL Semifinals, FA WSL and NCAA Women’s Soccer Tournament

This past weekend of women’s soccer was truly incredible. Each league around the world had some marquee matchups, championship implications, and major upsets that we don’t get to see every day. The goals were outstanding between the FA WSL, NWSL Semifinals, and NCAA Women’s Soccer Tournament. Let’s take a closer look at this week’s best women’s soccer goals. 

5. Alyssa Moore – UC Irvine

UC Irvine shocked two-seed UCLA 1-0, crushing the Bruins' championship hopes as well as their undefeated streak.#NCAASoccer x ? @UCIwsoc pic.twitter.com/WBHBqLSiIy

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) November 13, 2021

UC Irvine shocked the world and scored this goal to shatter UCLA’s undefeated season and national championship hopes. The Anteaters did a great job of being quick and decisive with their attack to the point where they forced UCLA to make a play. Quickly switching the field allowed Alyssa Moore to make a late run toward the back post. Her running start and desire were strong; she elevated over the UCLA defender and fired the header home. Not only that, but Irvine’s defense deserves credit for shutting out UCLA for the remainder of the game. 

4. Ella Toone – Manchester United

Clearance ➡️ passing ➡️ finish ✅

What a lovely team goal finished off by Ella Toone early on! #WatchWithAta #BarclaysFAWSL pic.twitter.com/RbE706SLkP

— ata football (@atafball) November 14, 2021

For teams looking to score goals on the counterattack, this is exactly how it’s done. From literally one end line to the other, it took three swift passes and a finish to score. Alessia Russo receives an incredible outlet pass and is off to the races. By the time United got down to the other end of the pitch, Ella Toone was ready to strike. All Toone needed was one small touch before gently caressing the ball into the far corner. The whole move took about 13 seconds to complete–that’s counterattacking play at its finest. 

3. Katie Johnson – Chicago Red Stars

29’—Katie Johnson comes on for injured Kealia Watt
38’—Katie Johnson gives @chicagoredstars the lead vs. NWSL Shield winners Portland Thorns

Instant impact from @katieajohnson33 ?

(via @NWSL)pic.twitter.com/zG8G9M5pBE

— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 14, 2021

Katie Johnson came through for the Red Stars after subbing on for Kealia Watt. The match was deadlocked in the first half, with Portland pressing the action and looking more likely to score. Though Johnson had other plans by doing exactly what Kealia Watt was doing earlier in the game, being aggressive and taking on defenders. Her shot was even more impressive because of the power and accuracy behind it. Everyone, including Bella Bixby, was taken off guard by where the shot ended up, and it went off her hand, then the crossbar, and in. Portland was stunned, and it helped set the stage for a 2-0 win and another NWSL finals appearance for Chicago.

2. Sarah Woldmoe – Chicago Red Stars

WOLD-WHOA ??#PORvCHI | https://t.co/bONPZnEXuh | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/G5oXLYE9Xr

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) November 14, 2021

After Katie Johnson helped give Chicago the lead with an amazing goal, Sarah Woldmoe delivered the knockout blow with this screamer of a goal. It really came out of nowhere because Chicago looks like they were probing Portland’s defense with passes. Then Sarah Woldmoe decided to take matters into her own hands. As soon as she saw her opening, she put her foot through the ball. A wonder goal flew into the far corner giving Bella Bixby little to no chance of keeping it out. Chicago’s title hopes are still alive. 

1. Ashley Sanchez – Washington Spirit

There were no shortage of spectacular goals as @WashSpirit and @chicagoredstars won through to the @NWSL decider ?

None more so than this Ashley Sanchez effort from an outrageous angle ⤴️pic.twitter.com/DG8k5ExmCS

— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) November 15, 2021

This goal is one of the best goals of the year and one of the best we’ll probably ever see. If anyone can find a similar goal this good in a moment of this magnitude, please let me know because I have yet to think of one. No one would ever try a chip shot like this from that angle in that situation of the game. It’s 1-1 in the NWSL Semifinals; almost every other player in the world tries to put the ball back into the box and make the safer play, but not Ashley Sanchez. From the moment she has the ball, you can tell she was going for this chip the whole way, and the ability to execute it in a split second puts her on another level. A moment of magic to send Washington through to the final; the young guns of the Spirit are coming for that title. 

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