Reign tumble against midfielder Rose Lavelle, NJ/NY Gotham FC 2-0

Rose Lavelle didn’t pocket a goal against her former team, but she was behind her NJ/NY Gotham FC side defeating the Reign 2-0 on Monday at Lumen Field.

Seattle was defensively strong for majority of the first half. A turnover high up the field was all Gotham needed to slip the opening goal in the net, Lavelle helping to lead the transition.

Reign defender Phoebe McClernon deflected Delanie Sheehan’s initial cross in the box. But the midfielder collected the loose ball and powered a left-footed grounder past Reign keeper Claudia Dickey in the 41^st minute.

Esther added to the lead in the 85^th minute. She used one touch to whip a Yazmeen Ryan assist over Dickey’s head.

Lavelle had an attempt in the 68^th minute that required a save from Dickey. The crowd of 6,604 erupted in their loudest cheers of the night.

“It was a tough night for us,” Reign coach Laura Harvey said. “I’m always ‘stay in the game’ and I felt at 1-nil, we were staying in the game. But the second goal was a killer.”

Seattle earned a free kick in second half stoppage time that midfielder Ji So-yun tried to bend past Gotham keeper Ann-Katrin Berger. The latter tipped it over the crossbar to preserve her team’s sixth shutout of the season.

Defender Emily Sonnett and Lavelle were part of the Reign team that advanced to the NWSL championship final last year, losing to Gotham 2-1. The U.S. internationals left via free agency in January.

They played their former team to a 1-1 draw at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J.

Seattle’s attack Monday was impacted by forward Jordyn Huitema missing the match due to illness. Reign midfielder Jaelin Howell had the best look with a shot from distance in the 77^th minute that was wide of goal.

“It’s NWSL, you can’t let up for one second,” Howell said. “Overall, we’ve got to learn from it. … Going down early, we were pushing for that goal. It’s huge when our subs come on and give us that boost. We’re obviously going to continue to need that.”

The Reign (5-10-5) were also without midfielders Jess Fishlock (leg) and Olivia Van der Jagt (excused absence). Coupled with defender Sofia Huerta being loaned to French side Olympique Lyonnais, and newly acquired defender Hanna Glas was able to make her debut start with Seattle.

“She did well,” Harvey said. “She was up against a tough opponent. … We kept them quiet on the left side of the field for majority of the game. Rose was the only one really who ever caused a problem on the left when she was there. So, Hanna did well.”

Monday’s result didn’t damage Seattle’s playoff hopes, despite ending their seven-game unbeaten streak (3-0-4). Gotham (12-4-4) inched up to third place and the Reign are still 11^th. The top eight teams advance to the postseason.

Seattle travels to play last-placed Houston on Saturday. The return to host Bay FC (Sept. 29) and Angel City FC (Oct. 4) at Lumen. The Reign (20 points) is currently five points behind Bay for the final playoff slot. ACFC has 21 points.

“I said to the players after the game, you know, [it] would’ve been a real bonus to get three points in,” Harvey said. “The harsh reality is the next three games are the most important with who we’re playing. We’ve got to dust ourselves off real quick.”