Top 5 Goals From the NWSL and Italy’s Serie A Femminile

The NWSL has been electric through the first couple of weeks of the season. Fans are coming out in droves to the games, which only makes for an incredible atmosphere at each stadium across the nation. Those goals being scored equate to memories made for the fans, memories they’ll never forget. These goals will certainly be a core memory for those who witnessed it, whether in person or on TV. So, let’s enjoy this week’s list of Top 5 Goals from the NWSL and Serie A Femminile. 

5. Agnese Bonfantini – Sampdoria

Bonfantini making it looks so easy!

Sampdoria are level with Parma.#WatchWithAta #SerieAFemminile pic.twitter.com/6U4Gx4cWk4

— ata football (@atafball) April 16, 2023

Agnese Bonfantini is one of the best young players in Italy’s system, and when you see this goal she scored, you’ll see why.

This was all by herself, picking the ball up on the right flank and taking on everyone. Multiple defenders tried to stop her from coming infield onto her preferred left foot, but they all failed to do so miserably. Bonfantini glided toward the top of the box and calmly fired the ball into the far corner without much fuss.

Goals like these make Agnese Bonfantini a fun and talented player to keep an eye on in the future. 

4. Maria Sanchez – Houston Dash

😤 @Maria17_7 does it all by herself

It's game on in PDX! pic.twitter.com/1niF44QGlX

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) April 15, 2023

I’ve said it a million times, and I will keep saying it, Maria Sanchez is one of the best players in the league and should be treated as such. If she keeps this up, she might get the recognition she deserves by the end of the season.

This goal was a solo spectacular from Sanchez, who didn’t need any help from her teammates to score. Portland dominated Houston and had a 1-0 lead, but Sanchez quickly brought her team back into the game. When a player like Sanchez is one-on-one with a defender, say a quick prayer for that defender because she’s most likely going to get cooked. That’s exactly what happened here, the defender desperately tried to block the shot with a slide tackle, but Sanchez swiftly slotted the ball home along the ground, which is harder for goalies to stop.

Double-digit goals for Sanchez this season. You heard it here first. 

3. Penelope Hocking – Chicago Red Stars

A BRACE FOR THE ROOKIE, @penelopehockin5 🥳🥳 pic.twitter.com/VTGdx5JrI1

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) April 16, 2023

Chicago had to pivot in a major way without Mallory Swanson, and her replacement might just be the real deal too. Penelope Hocking is a rookie, but this finish looked like it was from a seasoned vet. One of the best collegiate scorers ever, it’s clear that if Hocking is given any clear opportunities, she’s going to take them.

Hocking has an instinct that few strikers have. Most would not have had the awareness to try and shoot that shot without taking a touch. Because she chose not to, she caught the keeper off guard, and the defender was a split second late to try and block the shot.

That shows right away that Penelope Hocking is ready to play in this league which could put her firmly in the conversation for Rookie of the Year. 

2. Kirsten Davis – Racing Louisville

My goodness, what a finish by @kirstendavis22! pic.twitter.com/BXIhZcdJdF

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) April 16, 2023

Racing Louisville came into a raucous atmosphere at BMO Stadium in LA, and they were not fazed at all. Kirsten Davis was ready to play and looked sharp on this goal, and Angel City barely had any time to react.

It’s all in the crisp touches Davis took to set her up—the first to come inside and then a quick second touch to go for the shot. Davis took the shot so fast that by the time Angel City defenders turned their heads, the ball was already past them and in the goal.

It was a great piece of counter-attacking play from Louisville, something you should expect to see a lot more of this NWSL season. 

1. Savannah McCaskill – Angel City FC

WOW WOW WOW, @smccaskill_7 🤩

Clutch finish and we're tied in LA!!! pic.twitter.com/qgs6k66QWg

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) April 16, 2023

Coming in at the top spot is a moment of magic from Savannah McCaskill when her team needed it the most.

Angel City was trailing 2-0 for most of the match against Louisville. However, late in the game, Katie Johnson nudged a free kick in to make the game 2-1. Angel City kept getting closer and closer to scoring, but it seemed like it might not happen with five minutes to go.

That’s when Savannah McCaskill put everything on the line to score this goal. Few players have the creativity and the ability to try something like this, let alone try it in the 87th minute with your team down a goal. But that’s what makes Savannah McCaskill special. She’s willing to take risks and does things that others haven’t.

It was a high-risk shot with a high reward, and it paid off because everyone in the arena went bonkers after she tied the match 2-2. Those moments are what the game is about, and those kinds of goals from the NWSL will help keep the league around for a long time. 

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