Kerr Became First Player in NWSL History to Score Four Goals in One Game, Two Hat Tricks in One Season
Sky Blue FC (8-9-2, 26 points) was notified today that forward Sam Kerr has been unanimously voted the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Player of the Week by the NWSL Media Association for Week 17 of the 2017 season.
After trailing 3-0 at halftime this past Saturday against Seattle Reign FC, Kerr exploded for four goals in the second half to lead Sky Blue FC to an improbable 5-4 comeback victory. She also made history with the performance, becoming the first player in NWSL history to record two hat tricks in one season and the first player to score four goals in a single match. With the four tallies, she once again leads the NWSL with 15 goals on the season, leaving her one shy of Kim Little’s single season record of 16 goals (2014). She also became the first player in NWSL history to reach 40 career goals.
On Saturday night, Kerr scored in the 48th, 68th and 71st minutes before hitting the dramatic game-winner in the 94th minute. On the play, Taylor Lytle stepped over a corner kick and sent a lofting ball towards the mouth of the frame. As it arrived, Kerr fought off multiple defenders and put a leaping header into the back of the net for a virtual buzzer-beater.
The win made Sky Blue FC the first team in NWSL history to win a match in which it once faced a three-goal deficit. The New Jersey outfit also became the first club to win a game after trailing at the 90-minute mark.
This recognition marks the fifth time that Kerr has been honored as the NWSL Player of the Week in her career, one shy of former Washington Spirit forward Crystal Dunn. Sky Blue FC players have received the accolade on nine occasions overall, with Kerr being the recipient of the last four acknowledgements.
Sky Blue FC will be back home this Saturday, August 26, hosting the Boston Breakers for a 7:00 p.m. kickoff at Yurcak Field in Piscataway. Individual tickets for that match are available now online or by calling 888-SBFC-TIX (888-723-2849).
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The NWSL Player of the Week is selected each week of the regular season by the NWSL Media Association, a collection of writers that cover the league on a consistent basis. For more information on the NWSL Media Association, follow them on Twitter.
