BY SARA KIESLER for WEEKLY VOLCANO | 10/2/2026
Jess Fishlock passes Megan Rapinoe for Reign’s scoring record
During a night themed around dragons, one “tiny dragon” ruled them all.
Veteran midfielder Jess Fishlock scored twice Friday, September 25, against Boston Legacy FC to give the Seattle Reign FC a 2–0 victory and lift the team back into the eighth and final playoff spot.
Fishlock is the last remaining OG of the trio of players who stuck with the Reign through all 14 seasons. Megan Rapinoe retired in 2023, while Lauren “Lu” Barnes retired in 2025 and is now an assistant coach with the team. On Friday, Fishlock passed Rapinoe for the most goals scored in franchise history, bringing her total to 52.
Both goals were brilliant strikes from outside the 18-yard box. Speedy second-year forward Maddie Dahlien assisted on one and made a pivotal pass on the other, but she was not credited with an assist because she was fouled on the play.
The Reign are singing a swan song for Fishlock, as the Welsh international has announced her retirement at the end of the year. Friday’s match against the Legacy was Fourth Wing night, named after the popular dragon-based romantasy novel by Rebecca Yarros. Nicknamed “The Tiny Dragon” by the Reign’s fan club, Fishlock channeled the energy of the crowd, much as Violet does from Tairn, to help her squad earn three points.
With a young team of budding superstars around her, Fishlock’s veteran leadership has been crucial in this year of ups and downs.
“She leaves me speechless a lot of the time. She’s one of the best players I’ve ever played with, and to play alongside her is such an honor,” Dahlien said. “I’m learning from her every day, and I’m going to be so emotional when she leaves.”
After the game, Reign head coach Laura Harvey was asked if Fishlock’s connection with Dahlien is similar to her connection with Rapinoe, as the two shared chemistry that was dazzling to watch.
“Maddie Dahlien has really special qualities. I’ve actually spoken to Pinoe not long ago about connecting the two, because I do think what Maddie has, Pinoe had. Maddie’s just blessed with a little more pace than what Pinoe had, which is scary,” Harvey said. “What’s really cool about this group, as a collective and as individuals, is they’re so eager to learn off these experienced players and the coaching staff and each other that tells me the ceiling is so high for them.”
The Reign also made NWSL history on Friday night as the first team with five straight shutout wins. They came out with far more energy than in their last two road matches against Angel City FC and Denver Summit FC, with commanding defense and organized offense.
Boston Legacy FC had scored in stoppage time against six other teams, but center back Jordyn Bugg made two late stops to extinguish the expansion team’s hopes.
From Bugg to Dahlien to goalkeeper Claudia Dickey, who led the league with 88 saves last year, the future is bright for the Reign.
But don’t miss your chance to catch Fishlock, the Reign’s remaining OG, in action with two home games left in the season.
The Reign play at Lumen again on Friday, October 2, in one of their last four regular-season matches, including their final home match Monday, November 2. It will be Fishlock’s bobblehead night, and the giveaway, fittingly, also includes a tiny dragon.
