Nérilia Mondésir made history last Friday by becoming the first Haitian-born player to score in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), netting the game-winning goal in Seattle Reign’s 2-1 victory over the Houston Dash. Mondésir, who joined the Reign in August, capitalized on a loose ball in the 65th minute, slotting it past the Houston goalkeeper to secure the win. This marked her first NWSL goal, making her a trailblazer in the league for Haitian-born athletes.
The game itself was tightly contested. Seattle initially took the lead with a goal by Olivia Athens in the 22nd minute, but Houston quickly equalized through a penalty kick from Bárbara Olivieri. Mondesir Nerilia decisive goal came amidst a scramble in the box as Seattle sought to end a five-game losing streak. The match also highlighted Mondésir’s growing impact, as she contributed not only to her goal but also to two shots and four duels won throughout the game.
This victory holds additional significance as it was the Reign’s final home match of the 2024 season, and Mondésir’s milestone moment left a lasting mark on both her career and the NWSL.
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