Top 5 Goals: NWSL, Women’s Champions League, Barclays FA WSL
Between the NWSL, UEFA Women’s Champions League, Barclays FA WSL, and numerous other leagues, the women’s soccer calendar is in a great place. The stakes are at an all-time high for the WSL and Champions League. Those seasons end soon. The NWSL kicked off with a bang with tons of fixtures for fans to enjoy through the first four weeks. This high-level action brings high-level goals, which is exactly what we have on deck. Let’s get into the Top 5 Goals featuring NWSL, Barclays FA WSL, and UEFA Women’s Champions League goals.
5. Denise O’Sullivan – North Carolina Courage
At the death!
Captain @OSullivanDenise rescues a point for North Carolina with the last kick of the game. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/xFgR8v1PcE
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) April 20, 2023
Every soccer player will tell you they’ve had at least one dream of scoring a game-winning goal at the death. I was a goalie, and I even had dreams of scoring that last-second winner.
That’s what Denise O’Sullivan did, and the moment is one to remember. The ball popped up right to O’Sullivan at the edge of the box, and she smashed it in on the half-volley with the last kick of the game. You can hear the crowd going nuts and the players losing their minds. It makes this goal even more special.
All that for a draw as well. That’s one of the things that make soccer amazing. Even a tie can be celebrated like a win.
4. Nicole Sorenson – Everton
WOW @nicoline_rensen, that is special! 😱
Hitting the back of the net in style after an incredible run! 🌟#BarclaysWSL @EvertonWomen pic.twitter.com/6nSnuBu6GN
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) April 23, 2023
The Danish international might not get as much recognition as some of her counterparts, but she certainly turned some heads with the quality of this goal.
Her ability to read the body position of her defenders and flow into each move was spectacular. Notice how Sorensen took a big touch inside because of the defender’s body shape toward the end line. She knew she’d have the space inside. Then the hesitation move on the defender is just gorgeous. Everyone is thinking she’s going to shoot, but the brief pause gets the defender to over-commit. Finally, Sorensen took the opportunity presented to her incredibly well with a gorgeous curled effort into the far corner.
The whole move was elegance personified. Sorensen will be a player to watch for Denmark at the World Cup with technique like this.
3. Elisabeth Terland – Brighton and Hove Albion
What a STRIKE this is from Elisabeth Terland 🔥#BarclaysWSL @BHAFCWomen pic.twitter.com/wgfOcksf8Q
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) April 24, 2023
This goal developed so quickly that it looked like Brighton couldn’t believe they had scored either.
A simple entry pass into Elisabeth Terland is how the move started. Normally, Terland would look for a teammate to pass to because she is too far to take the shot. Well, Terland was feeling ultra-confident in this game and saw the keeper off her line. Still, most would choose not to go for the shot, but Terland was audacious.
The end result was a perfect chip shot, so much so that the goalie didn’t even turn around to try and save it. She knew the ball was going in. Brighton hasn’t had the best season, but that goal will definitely be one of the highlights.
2. Chloe Kelly – Manchester City
What a finish this is from @Chloe_Kelly98 🤩
On 🔥 for @ManCityWomen!#BarclaysWSL pic.twitter.com/skbeUChsyA
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) April 24, 2023
Chloe Kelly has a knack for scoring difficult goals, and this one is no different. It is the result of a defensive mistake, but still, take nothing away from this finish from Kelly.
The striker has to be close to 25 yards away from the goal and running onto the ball at full speed. Somehow, Kelly hit it in the only place the keeper couldn’t get it. A one-time shot from that far out, and it ended up in the far corner. If it’s even a little closer to the keeper, she at least dives for it, but the accuracy was spot on.
Mistakes at the back will always be punished, but this one was punished by Chloe Kelly in style–hat a long-range strike.
1. Caroline Graham Hansen – FC Barcelona
WHAT A STRIKE 🚀
Caroline Graham Hansen opens the game up for Barcelona 🔥
Watch #UWCL LIVE NOW ⬇️
🇬🇧 https://t.co/bF9cYoxSa0
🇪🇸 https://t.co/tReJDbVzHw pic.twitter.com/mwIxGinl2Y— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) April 22, 2023
Great players make great plays, it’s a cliche, but sometimes the cliche accurately describes the situation. Caroline Graham Hansen would be the difference in the first leg of Barcelona’s Champions League against Chelsea. It didn’t take her long to strike, either.
In the fourth minute, Hansen received the ball on the right flank near the end line. The second she noticed there wasn’t a Chelsea defender to slow her down, she went with full steam ahead toward the goal. Caroline Graham Hansen running downhill at defenders is a problem for any defense, and Chelsea learned the hard way.
As soon as the window opened to shoot on her left foot, she fired it past the keeper and made it look easy. That’s one of the best players in the world doing what she does best. Expect Chelsea to make sure she’s well covered in their second leg of the semifinals.
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