Naeher Scores in 200th Match as Stars Rally to 3-3 Draw
Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher delivered an unforgettable moment in her milestone 200th NWSL appearance, scoring in the final seconds of stoppage time to complete the Chicago Stars’ comeback from three goals down in a 3-3 draw with the Seattle Reign on Monday night.
The goal marked Naeher’s first in her professional career. It came when she pushed forward for Kathrin Hendrich’s corner kick in the ninth minute of stoppage time. After a scramble near the right post, she poked the ball across the line from close range to seal the dramatic equalizer.
The Stars (1-9-6, 9 points) extended their winless streak to 12 matches (0-6-6), but rallied with three second-half goals from Ludmila, Camryn Biegalski, and Naeher. Seattle (7-5-4, 25 points) had earlier built a commanding lead through tallies from Jess Fishlock, Jordyn Huitema, and Emeri Adames.
Seattle struck first just three minutes into the match. Adames slipped a pass wide right to Huitema, who drove to the end line and sent in a low cross. Fishlock redirected it into the net from three yards out. The Reign doubled their lead in the 34th minute when Fishlock set up Maddie Dahlien. Naeher saved Dahlien’s attempt, but Madison Curry’s rebound rattled off the bar and fell to Huitema, who converted with a bicycle kick from five yards out.
Just moments after the second half began, Seattle extended the lead to 3-0. After the kickoff, goalkeeper Claudia Dickey launched a ball forward, which deflected off Kathrin Hendrich’s shoulder following a defensive collision. Adames pounced, striking a left-footed volley from 15 yards into the open net.
Chicago’s comeback began in the 73rd minute when Ally Schlegel slipped a through ball to Ludmila, who beat the keeper with a precise finish from the right side of the box. Just five minutes later, Taylor Malham’s cross-field ball reached Biegalski on the right wing, and she blasted a 15-yard shot into the upper corner.
Naeher then capped the rally in stoppage time, securing a hard-fought point for Chicago in one of the most remarkable matches of the NWSL season so far.
