Top 5 Goals: Kerolin Stuns With a Hat Trick, Ashley Sanchez Knocks in a Header, and More

The NWSL has reached the halfway point and will be the main league of focus for the rest of the summer and fall once the World Cup ends. This week featured a breakout from the Brazilians. Kerolin of North Carolina bagged a hat trick, and Adriana netted a brace in primetime. Other stars like Ashley Sanchez came ready to play with a young Angel City player taking advantage of her opportunities. Let’s take a look at the Top 5 Goals from the NWSL Matchday 11. 

5. Ashley Sanchez – Washington Spirit

Ashley Hatch ⚽️
Ashley Sanchez ⚽️@WashSpirit are two up at Audi Field! pic.twitter.com/ggSGxkh6gE

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) June 10, 2023

Ashley Sanchez was wreaking havoc against Angel City. Her first shot off the crossbar led to Ashley Hatch’s goal, and her second shot ended up finding the back of the net with ease.

Paige Metayer put in a long, searching ball, and while it overshot Trinity Rodman, Sanchez made the most of it. Her ability to take the pace off the ball with her header but have enough to loop over Didi Haracic’s hand is incredible.

There was no angle for Sanchez to head the ball down, which led her to dink it over and give the Spirit a 2-0 lead. When Ashley Sanchez is on, she’s a hard player to contend with. 

4. Kerolin – North Carolina Courage

KERO HATTY!

The Brazilian makes it 5-0, and takes the lead in the Golden Boot race💫 pic.twitter.com/j7jaWzKPY4

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) June 11, 2023

Kerolin scored her hat trick in style with this stunning finish. Most players would look to curl the ball or shoot along the ground. Kerolin chose the most difficult path and decided to stick it in the roof of the net.

Her movement and timing are impeccable. She just bided her time waiting for the defender to commit before making her run. That allowed her to have all the time in the world to compose herself before the shot to complete her hat trick.

That goal also put her into the top spot in the Golden Boot race, which will be fun to watch as the year progresses. 

3. M.A. Vignola – Angel City

.@MAVignola with an INCREDIBLE first goal to pull one back for @weareangelcity! 🚀 pic.twitter.com/XzKtQvV52n

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) June 10, 2023

While Angel City waits for Merritt Mathias to rehab and work back from her knee injury, M.A. Vignola has been getting plenty of opportunities to start in her place.

Vignola is learning on the fly and finally took advantage of starting at left-back. She’d missed a chance earlier in the game from a similar spot, but she would make no mistake about it this time. Aubrey Kingsbury had the near post covered, but Vignola’s power and accuracy on the shot were inch-perfect.

That’s a top-class finish from a player making a real case for even more playing time for the rest of the season. 

2. Adriana – Orlando Pride

Adriana is so fun to watch 🍿

Ally Watt to Adriana and the Pride take the lead to start the half! pic.twitter.com/9HZLwbvQfT

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) June 12, 2023

Adriana took over for Orlando against Portland, who sat atop the standings. Ally Watt found Adriana in loads of space, and the Brazilian found herself with just one defender to beat.

The striker’s ability to use deception and wait until the last moment to cut back toward the middle is the key. Once she did that, Adriana had more than enough space to bend the ball around Bella Bixby and into the far corner.

A well-executed goal from a player who was unplayable for the Pride. 

1. Adriana – Orlando Pride

Adriana free kick banger, 10/10 no notes ‼️ pic.twitter.com/DNkTnHdLu5

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) June 11, 2023

This is an incredible free-kick goal because it went against conventional wisdom. Most players and coaches would look at where the set piece is set up along with where Bella Bixby is positioned and say the Brazilian would target the far post.

As a former keeper, goalies are never supposed to get beaten near post, especially when they’re already on that side. Yet, somehow, Adriana got enough curl and power on the ball to beat Bixby. The strike had to be perfect to squeeze it in on the near post, and Adriana executed it that way.

The Brazilian takeover was complete with this goal. Adriana showed she’s going to be a force to be reckoned with for the rest of the season. 

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