Sports
Orlando Pride Drops 2025 NWSL Challenge Cup Final to Washington Spirit in 4-2 Penalty Shootout
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – The Orlando Pride suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the 2025 NWSL Challenge Cup Final, falling to Washington Spirit in a penalty shootout at Inter&Co Stadium on Friday night. After a hard-fought 1-1 draw in regulation, the match was decided in an end-of-regulation shootout, where the Spirit edged out the Pride 4-2.
Credit: Orlando Pride
Rafaelle Marks Return with a Goal
Brazilian defender Rafaelle made a triumphant return to the lineup after being removed from the Season-Ending Injury List earlier in the week. She made an immediate impact, scoring in the 41st minute to give the Pride the lead. The goal, her first of the 2025 season, was also her first since August 20, 2023, when she debuted for Orlando.
The Washington Spirit responded in the 72nd minute with a free-kick goal from Leicy Santos, who expertly placed the ball into the top-right corner past Pride goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse, forcing the match into a penalty shootout.
Penalty Shootout Recap
In the high-stakes shootout, Orlando’s Julie Doyle and Angelina converted their penalties, but Summer Yates missed, and Ally Lemos’ shot was saved. Washington was clinical, with Ashley Hatch, Rebeca Bernal, Narumi Miura, and Tara McKeown all converting to secure the 2025 NWSL Challenge Cup title.
Head Coach Seb Hines Reacts
Following the tough loss, Orlando Pride head coach Seb Hines reflected on the team’s performance:
“Football is a cruel game, and losing in penalties is never easy. I thought we did really well throughout the game. Our pressing looked sharp, and we had some good opportunities. This being our first game of the year and a Final, of course, we wanted to win. Losing a Final and not lifting the trophy is hard, but this will fuel our hunger to continue building on our success from last year.”
- – Other Sports News
Match Notes
- Rafaelle scored her first goal since her 2023 debut for the Pride.
- Prisca Chilufya made her Pride debut as a second-half substitute.
- The Pride fielded nine of the same starters from the 2024 NWSL Championship match, also against Washington.
Match Stats
Possession: Orlando (52.2%) | Washington (47.8%)
Shots: Orlando (13) | Washington (9)
Saves: Orlando (2) | Washington (3)
Fouls: Orlando (12) | Washington (18)
What’s Next?
The Orlando Pride now turn their focus to the 2025 NWSL regular season, kicking off next Friday, March 14, against Chicago Stars FC at Inter&Co Stadium. Before the match, the club will hold a special banner-raising ceremony to commemorate their 2024 NWSL Shield and 2024 NWSL Championship titles. Kickoff is set for 8:00 p.m. ET on Prime Video.
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J Willie David, III
Florida National News and FNN News Network
Sports@FloridaNationalNews.com
NEW YORK CITY, NY (FNN SPORTS) – LIV Golf plans to begin winding down operations Monday, Nov. 9, following five years and more than $5 billion in spending.
Attorney Matthew Williams outlined the league’s plans during a bankruptcy court hearing Thursday, Nov. 5, in New Jersey. The process includes selling its remaining assets.
“We believe the wind down path is the best path,” Williams told the court.
LIV Golf confirmed the decision after a proposed restructuring deal fell through. The league said it will continue considering alternatives during the shutdown process.
TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — On Monday November 2, at the Yuengling Center, the South Florida women’s basketball team opened with a successful debut undernew head coach Kristy Curry.
The Bulls established control early with a 9–0 opening run, taking a 27–12 lead after the first quarter. Furman narrowed the margin before halftime, but South Florida maintained a 46–32 advantage heading into the break.
A dominant third quarter proved decisive, as USF outscored Furman 23–9 to extend its lead to 69–41 entering the fourth.
Balanced Scoring Leads the Bulls
Stefanie Ingram led South Florida with 15 points, followed by Hannah Kohn with 13 and Kendall Puryear with 12 points and nine rebounds.
The Bulls placed six players in double figures, shot 51.6 percent from the field and controlled the boards with a 48–25 rebounding advantage.
A Winning Debut for Kristy Curry
The victory marked Curry’s first win leading South Florida after arriving from Alabama.
Ahead of the season opener, Curry expressed confidence in the program’s potential:
“I’m so excited to be here. I truly think the sky’s the limit at USF.”
— Kristy Curry, USF Head Coach, in pregame remarks published by USF Athletics.
South Florida (1–0) will face Belmont on Friday, November 6, in Nashville, Tennessee.
– Nisey Spruill is a reporter and photojournalist for Florida National News (FNN), covering major news, sports and special events across Florida and nationwide. Contact sports@FloridaNationalNews.com
Bulls overcome early deficit behind defensive touchdowns and a record-tying performance from C.J. Hicks.
TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — The University of South Florida (USF) secured its sixth victory of the season Saturday, October 31, defeating the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) 30–10 at Raymond James Stadium. The victory improved the Bulls’ record to 6–2 overall and 2–2 in American Conference play, making the program bowl-eligible for the fourth consecutive season.
Defense Turns the Game Around
UAB opened the game with a 10–0 first-quarter lead, but South Florida responded with 30 unanswered points, highlighted by two defensive touchdowns.
Defensive end C.J. Hicks delivered one of the game’s most significant performances, recording four sacks to tie the USF single-game record. Two of those sacks forced fumbles that resulted in touchdowns.
Late in the second quarter, Hicks forced a fumble by UAB quarterback Ryder Burton, allowing USF defender Asani Redwood to recover the football and return it six yards for a touchdown. The play gave South Florida a 17–10 halftime lead.
Asani Redwood and UAB #71 UAB defensive lineman #71 attempts to tackle USF’s Asani Redwood during the October 31, 2026, matchup at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. Photo by Nisey Spruill / Florida National News
Hicks created another scoring opportunity in the fourth quarter, forcing a second fumble that linebacker Grayson Howard recovered and returned 13 yards for a touchdown, extending USF’s lead to 27–10.
South Florida’s defense finished with six sacks and 11 tackles for loss, limiting UAB to just 177 total offensive yards, including 17 rushing yards.
Offensive Adjustments Provide Momentum
Following an injury to starting quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr., sophomore Luke Kromenhoek entered the game and helped shift momentum in South Florida’s favor.
Luke Kromenhoek (#17) USF quarterback Luke Kromenhoek (#17) carries the football while facing pressure from a UAB defender during the Bulls’ 30–10 victory at Raymond James Stadium on October 31, 2026. Photo by Nisey Spruill / Florida National News
Kromenhoek finished with a career-high 92 rushing yards, including a 42-yard run that helped establish the Bulls’ offensive rhythm.
Running back Jason Collins Jr. added a six-yard rushing touchdown late in the second quarter to tie the game at 10–10.
Kicker Nico Gramatica contributed three field goals, connecting from 31, 30 and 33 yards to help secure the victory.
Bowl Eligibility Marks Another Program Milestone
With its sixth win, South Florida secured bowl eligibility for the fourth consecutive season, matching the second-longest such streak in program history.
The accomplishment allows USF to qualify for postseason bowl consideration, although an official bowl invitation and destination have yet to be determined.
The victory also kept the Bulls competitive in the American Conference standings, with four regular-season games remaining following the UAB matchup.
Looking Ahead
USF will return to conference competition Friday, November 6, traveling to face East Carolina as the Bulls continue their pursuit of a stronger conference finish and a postseason bowl invitation.
Final Score: USF 30, UAB 10
– Nisey Spruill is a reporter and photojournalist for Florida National News (FNN), covering major news, sports and special events across Florida and nationwide. Contact sports@FloridaNationalNews.com
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