The first hat trick of the 2025 NWSL season belongs to Barbra Banda. She also now owns the fastest hat trick in the league’s history.
The Orlando Pride star reeled off three goals in the first 38 minutes of play against the Utah Royals, scoring from three different directions. She came from the right off a perfect set-up from Ally Watt, from the center on a breakaway and from the left on a long pass from Haley McCutcheon.
That trio of goals gave Banda the third first-half hat trick in NWSL history, joining Crystal Dunn in 2015 and Cloé Lacasse last season. Those two scored their third goals in first-half stoppage time, though, making Banda’s feat the quickest in the league’s 12-year history.
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It was also Banda’s first NWSL hat trick since joining the Pride last season.
Banda was one of the breakout talents of the 2024 NWSL season, receiving NWSL Best XI honors and a Ballon d’Or Féminin nomination while helping lead the Pride to their first championship. She has encountered personal challenges this season, though, facing a hateful language incident in March and getting prevented from playing internationally due to U.S. travel restrictions.
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