Pride’s win streak ends in San Diego, but remain unbeaten for the season

Makenzy Doniak scored in the 62nd minute to pull the San Diego Wave into a 1-1 draw with Orlando on Friday night and snap the Pride’s record eight-game winning streak in NWSL.

Julie Doyle scored in the first half for the Pride, who remained unbeaten to start the season. Barbra Banda crossed the ball to Doyle, who scored her second goal of the year in the 36th minute.

“It came off a defensive corner kick so that was amazing. I think it started with Ally [Watt] winning a tackle right around our 18 [-yard box] and Bri [Martinez] had the heart and desire to sprint and beat the other player to the ball.

“She played Barbra down the line. Barbra drew two players and I was just thinking, ‘Get in the width of the goal, she’s going to play me the ball hopefully.’ And she did and it was perfect and I just knew I had to get my foot on it and it went in.”

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The Pride (8-0-4) have scored in a club record 16 straight games dating to last season.

“The players were coming off the field disappointed because they put themselves in a position to win the game,” Orlando coach Seb Hines said. “Unfortunate not to see it out or get that second goal. But every game has its challenges. When you sit at the top of the table, it’s always tough because teams try a little bit harder to try and knock you off that position.”

Dani Colaprico had a good opportunity for the Wave (3-4-4) in first-half stoppage time but her attempt went over the crossbar. Doniak broke through on a shot that deflected off a Pride player and into the goal, eliciting a roar from the fans at San Diego’s Snapdragon Stadium.

“As a forward I always want to be hungry around the goal. It’s just a good performance overall and individually, I’m glad I got that, but there’s still a lot of work to be done,” Doniak said.

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Wave goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan had a save in the first half that gave her 500 for her career, becoming just the third NWSL goalkeeper to reach that mark.

Marta came in as a substitute for Orlando in the second half for her 100th NWSL appearance.

Both teams had multiple players returning from national team duty, including San Diego’s Alex Morgan, Jaedyn Shaw and Naomi Girma, who were called up by new U.S. coach Emma Hayes for a pair of games against South Korea. All three started against the Pride.

Up next

Pride at Courage

When: June 15 at WakeMed Soccer Park, 7:30

TV: Bally Sports Florida