Texas Tech University Athletics
Daniels, Lytle to Represent Clubs in NWSL Challenge Cup
June 26, 2020 | Women's Soccer
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Two former Red Raiders among athletes taking part in first reopening of an American pro sports league.
LUBBOCK, Texas – Former Texas Tech Soccer standouts Jaelene Daniels (née Hinkle) and Taylor Lytle will travel to Salt Lake City, Utah, for the month-long 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup. The 23-game, eight-team tournament – replacing the 2020 season, which would normally run from April to October – will mark the first American pro sports event since COVID-19 forced the shutdown of sports across the world.
Daniels, a two-time All-American outside back for the Red Raiders, is in her fifth season with the back-to-back defending league champion Courage (known as the Western New York Flash when they drafted her in 2015). Daniels played every minute of the Courage's 2018 NWSL Shield run, and in 2019 was named to the NWSL Players' Best XI as a defender. Last year, the Denver native was heavily involved on offense from the back line, ranking third on the squad in assists with six.
After missing the 2019 season due to injury, Lytle will represent hosting Utah Royals FC in the Challenge Cup. In 2018, Lytle's first season with the Royals, the Clovis, N.M., native made four starts in 10 appearances. She tallied two assists. Lytle's pro career dates back to 2013, when she was drafted by Sky Blue FC. In 82 games across five seasons with the New Jersey-based club, Lytle netted five goals and tallied nine assists.
The NWSL Challenge Cup will begin Saturday, June 27, when Daniels' Courage face off with the Portland Thorns at 11:30 a.m. CT live on CBS Sports. All games will take place outside of Salt Lake City. The opening match will be played at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman, Utah.
Lytle's first match will be Tuesday, June 30, at 11:30 a.m. The Royals will face off against the Houston Dash at Zions Bank Stadium. All matches following Saturday's opener will stream on CBS All-Access.
Daniels, a two-time All-American outside back for the Red Raiders, is in her fifth season with the back-to-back defending league champion Courage (known as the Western New York Flash when they drafted her in 2015). Daniels played every minute of the Courage's 2018 NWSL Shield run, and in 2019 was named to the NWSL Players' Best XI as a defender. Last year, the Denver native was heavily involved on offense from the back line, ranking third on the squad in assists with six.
After missing the 2019 season due to injury, Lytle will represent hosting Utah Royals FC in the Challenge Cup. In 2018, Lytle's first season with the Royals, the Clovis, N.M., native made four starts in 10 appearances. She tallied two assists. Lytle's pro career dates back to 2013, when she was drafted by Sky Blue FC. In 82 games across five seasons with the New Jersey-based club, Lytle netted five goals and tallied nine assists.
The NWSL Challenge Cup will begin Saturday, June 27, when Daniels' Courage face off with the Portland Thorns at 11:30 a.m. CT live on CBS Sports. All games will take place outside of Salt Lake City. The opening match will be played at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman, Utah.
Lytle's first match will be Tuesday, June 30, at 11:30 a.m. The Royals will face off against the Houston Dash at Zions Bank Stadium. All matches following Saturday's opener will stream on CBS All-Access.
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