Zambia’s Banda scores fastest hat-trick in NWSL history
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Zambia’s Barbra Banda scores fastest hat trick in NWSL history, leading Orlando Pride to victory.
Barbra Banda etched her name into the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) history books on Friday night by scoring the fastest hat trick ever recorded in the league, leading the Orlando Pride to a 3-1 victory over the Utah Royals.
The Zambian forward struck three times within the first 38 minutes of the match at America First Field in Sandy, Utah — marking the first-ever hat trick for the Orlando Pride and also the first by an African player in NWSL history.
Banda opened her account in the sixth minute, converting from close range after receiving a precise pass from teammate Ally Watt. Though Utah quickly responded with a 14th-minute equalizer by Brecken Mozingo, Banda wasn’t done yet.
In the 37th minute, Banda showcased her skill and composure by intercepting a misplaced pass, rounding goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn, and calmly finishing into an open net to restore Orlando’s lead. Just one minute later, she completed her hat trick with a powerful low-driven strike from 14 yards out that beat McGlynn once again.
The remarkable performance not only gave the Pride a much-needed win — ending a three-match winless run — but also tied Banda for the most goals scored in the league this season, with seven.
Her historic feat comes as the latest milestone in a growing international career that has seen her emerge as one of Africa’s brightest football stars.
Meanwhile, the Utah Royals continued their poor run of form, managing only one draw and suffering four defeats in their last five outings.
In another NWSL fixture on Friday, the Washington Spirit secured a narrow 2-1 victory over the Seattle Reign.
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