Top 5 Goals: NWSL Matchday 17, Barclays Women’s Championship, NCAA Soccer Week 2

August 29, 2023
By Rohtas Wadera

While the World Cup is over, there’s plenty of women’s soccer to enjoy as the calendar flips to the fall season. The NWSL is in the middle of an intense playoff race, while the NCAA college season is ongoing and the Barclays Women’s Championship is underway in England. Let’s get into the Top 5 Goals from the NWSL Matchday 17, Barclays Women’s Championship, and NCAA Soccer Week 2.

5. Lo’eau Labonta – Kansas City Current

🚀 @L0momma 🚀@thekccurrent are ahead in Houston! pic.twitter.com/GdN9GZjdhR

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) August 27, 2023

Lo’eau Labonta is always a joy to watch and is an important part of what makes the NWSL great. This volley from outside the box is as clean as it gets. In fact, it was so clean that Jane Campbell was rooted to the spot and didn’t move at all.

It’s not just the goal but the celebration that we’ve come to look forward to with Lo’eau Labonta. It’s a small wrinkle that makes the league even more fun, and hopefully, other players and teams follow suit.

4. Ally Sentnor – North Carolina Tar Heels

TOOK IT TO THE 🏠#NCAASoccer x 🎥 ACCN / @uncwomenssoccer pic.twitter.com/IAW1UQa9t5

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) August 27, 2023

Ally Sentnor has been one of the best players in the age group since her youth soccer days and will be one of the best college soccer players in the country this season. After just missing out on the National Championship last season, you can tell Sentnor and the Tar Heels are hungry for the national title this year.

The redshirt sophomore knew exactly what she wanted to do as soon as she received the ball. Sentnor beelined for the middle of the field, found space outside of the box, and with no one contesting her shot, let it rip from long range. The ball smashed off the crossbar and bounced in for an incredible finish.

Ally Sentnor is must-see TV; be sure to tune in to some North Carolina Tar Heel games this season.

3. Bex Rayner – Sheffield United

WHAT A GOAL BY @bexrayner07 🎯#BarclaysWC @sufc_women pic.twitter.com/5aro3VghG5

— Barclays Women’s Championship (@BarclaysWC) August 27, 2023

Sheffield was trailing 1-0 and running out of time, with the game entering stoppage time. Bex Rayner came to the rescue and helped the Blades come away with a point to start the season.

Rayner’s vision is top-notch to see the keeper backpedaling, and she knew she’d have the keeper beat if she could execute the long-range effort. A defender came close to blocking the shot, too, but Rayner bent the shot around her while also making it move away from the keeper.

A stunning strike helped Sheffield United salvage a point to start the season.

2. Hollie Olding – Lewes FC

That is magic from Hollie Olding! 😲#BarclaysWC @LewesFCWomen pic.twitter.com/0HP1TusqRw

— Barclays Women’s Championship (@BarclaysWC) August 27, 2023

Lewes FC’s start to the season might not have gone as planned, but for a brief moment, spirits were high thanks to Hollie Olding. After a scrum developed on the left side of the field, Olding came away with the ball with a little space. As soon as she had the time to take the shot, she saw the keeper off her line and shot from at least 25 to 30 yards.

The keeper couldn’t do anything but watch the ball nestle into the top corner. It’s a tremendous long-range effort and a nice consolation goal for Lewes FC.

1. Eleanor Dale – Nebraska Cornhuskers

WHAT A FLIPPING GOAL 🤯🤯#NCAASoccer x 🎥 @HuskerSoccer pic.twitter.com/mHndYY1haa

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) August 25, 2023

This goal is amazing for two reasons. The first is Jordan Zade’s front flip throw into the box, and the second is how Eleanor Dale adjusted to the ball bouncing in the box to attempt a bicycle kick. Most bicycle kicks come right out of the air, whereas this ball actually bounced, making it even more difficult to generate the power necessary to beat the keeper. Part of it might’ve been catching the keeper off guard by even attempting the bicycle kick in that scenario, but nonetheless, this is an incredible goal that deserves to take the top spot on this week’s list.