OL Reign’s three remaining out-of-contract players who do not qualify for free agency have been signed to new one-year deals, the club announced this week. Goalkeeper Laurel Ivory, defender Ryanne Brown and midfielder Olivia Athens have each agreed to new contracts for the 2024 season.
All three players were originally signed ahead of the 2022 season, with Ivory and Athens joining the team as undrafted free agents, while Brown was selected with the 21st overall draft pick and initially served as a National Team Replacement player before earning a full contract and going on a short-term loan to FC Nordsjælland in Denmark.
“Laurel [Ivory] returning is great news for the club. She has proven in a short period of time that she has a bright future in the NWSL and as a professional,” said general manager Lesle Gallimore in a team release. “Her work ethic, soccer acumen, and presence on and away from the pitch are a vital part of the culture on our team. She is a talented goalkeeper whose stock will only continue to rise.”
Ivory made her debut for the club during 2022 Women’s Cup tournament, and followed that up with four starts during the 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup, where she recorded three clean sheets.
Brown has made 18 appearances for the Reign across all competitions and scored the game-winning goal against San Diego in a 2023 Challenge Cup group stage match. During the Challenge Cup she was second on the team in tackles won (9), interceptions (8) and blocks (3).
Athens has made 22 appearances across all competitions and has scored two goals – a 13th minute strike against Portland in the 2022 regular season at Lumen Field and the second goal in that 2023 Challenge Cup group stage win over the Wave.
"Olivia Athens is a player whose trajectory has continued to climb in her time at the club,” said Gallimore. “She is elite with the ball and has an advanced knowledge of the game for a relatively young player. She is competitive and strives for excellence in every part of her life. Her ideas and problem-solving capabilities under pressure have made her a huge asset for us and we're excited to have her back."
While all three are now under contract with the Reign for the 2024 season, they are unprotected in NWSL Expansion Draft and could be selected by Utah or Bay FC.
