San Diego Wave FC defeated the Portland Thorns 1-0 at Snapdragon Stadium on Wednesday night as both teams began their 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup play. It was a tightly contested battle throughout that saw both sides create scoring chances as goalkeepers Kailen Sheridan and Shelby Hogan repeatedly made their presence felt.

The only goal of the game came in the 65th minute when SD Wave forward Jaedyn Shaw took a shot from just outside the box that Portland defender Meaghan Nally was unable to clear and instead deflected back into the back of her team’s net.

“To travel back, have limited prep, and be able to get a result against an excellent Portland side is a testament to this team and its character,” said Wave coach Casey Stoney.

San Diego was coming back from a gut-wrenching 1-0 road loss to OL on a 95th-minute goal. The victory over Portland was the first clean sheet of the season for Sheridan after finishing with eight in 2022 which was third most in the league.

“In terms of game plan and execution, especially defensively, I thought once we got it right we were very good and it was hard for them to break us down,” Stoney added.

The Wave now travel to take on Angel City FC on Sunday, April 23 in their first of two regular season matches with the team from Los Angeles coming off a 2-0 defeat to OL Reign in their Challenge Cup opener. SD Wave will play its next game at Snapdragon on April 29 versus the Orlando Pride.

SAN DIEGO SIRENS SUPPORTERS GROUP GOING STRONG

Among the advantages that San Diego Wave FC has enjoyed since joining the NWSL last season is the passionate support of the fans and being embraced by the community along with a vibrant supporters group. Even before the team moved from Torero to Snapdragon Stadium towards the end of last season, its supporters group has shown up in force at both home and away games.

“On a basic level our goal is to be part of this community and to contribute and empower the community in San Diego,” said Sirens president and membership coordinator Tali Lerner. “We come together around being soccer fans and around loving San Diego Wave, but we’re trying to do a lot more.”

The Sirens held their first volunteer event earlier this month as part of an Easter celebration for families and are developing partnerships with other organizations throughout San Diego. The group also supports causes that make a positive impact such as Lifesharing Donate Life after one of its members passed away in early January.

“I was a member of the Locals and the Chavos before the Wave existed,” said Sirens’ vice president, technology coordinator, and front office Liason Zakiya Khabi. “I’m really into the community-building part of this organization. Everyone has been just more and more inspired with every game. I want everybody to know each other, hang out and have a good time.”

For more info on the group or to become a member, go to https://www.sandiegosirens.com.

Photos courtesy of David Frerker, San Diego Wave FC