Defender goals are exciting goals. The tally from a player who spends the majority of the game on the opposite end of the pitch is something to be appreciated. On May 9, Reign FC appreciated a goal from the foot of a defender quite a bit.

After 4,283 minutes of NWSL action, Reign FC center-back Lauren Barnes grabbed her first league goal in a 1–1 road result against Sky Blue FC.

With a low shot from well outside the 18-yard box, Barnes cut through the entire Sky Blue FC defense — as well as the Reign FC offense — to nestle a low rocket into the bottom corner of the net.

“To be honest, when it happened, I was just kind of more in shock than anything,” Barnes said.

Barnes currently leads the team in games played with 52, starting all but one of them since Reign FC’s inaugural season. For the Arcadia, Calif. native, getting an opportunity from the beginning allowed her to grow as a player.

“The first year, Laura gave me a chance and from there I’ve just kind of worked in the system,” Barnes said. “She likes the way I play, which helps a lot. I’ve gotten comfortable and she’s really helped me get where I am today.”

During the 2014 NWSL Shield-winning campaign, Barnes started 22 games and was an instrumental member of a back-line that allowed a league-low 20 goals, 12 fewer than the next best team.

“We’re so comfortable with each other,” Barnes said of her defensive teammates. “We know exactly what we’re thinking and everyone is just really comfortable and I think that actually shows on the field.”

To see Barnes and Reign FC take on the China PR Women’s National Team on Friday on the Moda Pitch at Memorial Stadium, visit ReignFC.com or call (855) REIGN-FC. Seats start at $19. If you can’t make it Memorial, follow along on Twitter @SeattleReignFC.