Air Harris
Despite falling 2-0 in Sunday’s Orlando Pride season opener, goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris was a bright spot between the pipes for the Pride. Harris made six total saves on the night, with four in the first 45 minutes. The netminder showed her athleticism to keep the Pride in the match, and was nominated for the Week 1 NWSL Save of the Week for a first half, full extension save on Lindsey Horan.
In 2018, Harris won a total of seven Save of the Week awards and has won 22 over the last three seasons.
50 Caps for the Cap, Edmonds on the Edge
With the start on Sunday, Ashlyn Harris recorded her 50th all-time appearance in an Orlando Pride uniform. Harris, the Pride’s captain, was one of the first players to join the expansion side in 2015 after she was selected with the No. 2 pick in the 2015 NWSL Expansion Draft.
After entering as a second-half substitute, Kristen Edmonds recorded her 90th all-time NWSL appearance and now sits just 10 away from playing a milestone 100 league games. Before joining the Pride, Edmonds played a total of 33 games with the Western New York Flash - the former iteration of the NC Courage.
Taking to the Road
After opening the season at home for the second consecutive season, the Pride will now head on the road for a two-game trip. The away stretch will cap off a tough opening week for the Pride, who will play three games over the first eight days of the season. With the home opener last Sunday, the Pride next face the Courage on Wednesday night before flying across the country to play Reign FC in Tacoma, Wash., on Sunday.
Happy Birthday, Hill
Win or lose on Wednesday night, Orlando will have something to celebrate as April 17 marks the birthday of forward Rachel Hill. Hill, who is turning 24, is now in her third season as a member of the Pride after a strong collegiate career at the University of Connecticut.
Welcome to the Show
Three Pride players had professional milestones on Sunday. Midfielder Bridget Callahan made her first career start, playing 75 minutes in the midfield for the Pride. Callahan, a University of Central Florida product, made her pro debut last year as a National Team Replacement Player for the Pride. In addition, 2019 Draft pick Erin Greening entered as a second-half substitute to make her pro debut, while midfielder Joanna Boyles - who played 90 minutes at center back - also earned her first career NWSL minutes.
A Happy Homecoming?
A number of Pride players have ties to North Carolina’s Triangle area. Goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris, midfielder Joanna Boyles and forward Abby Elinsky all attended the University of Chapel Hill, while defender Morgan Reid attended Duke University.
In addition, Reid was recently acquired by the Pride via trade with the Courage on April 4, sending a fourth-round draft pick back to North Carolina.
Reid was born in Cary, N.C., the home of the Courage, while Boyles grew up just 10 miles away in Raleigh.
