By OkayGoal
Ashley Sanchez’s remarkable 2026 National Women’s Soccer League season has reached another milestone.
The North Carolina Courage star scored three times in a 6-0 win over the Chicago Stars on Sunday, taking her season total to 18 goals and making her the American single-season scoring record holder in the NWSL.
Sanchez entered Sunday’s match two goals behind the record of 17, shared by Alex Morgan and Crystal Dunn. Her hat trick against Chicago pushed her past both players and gave her the record outright.
ASHLEY SANCHEZ HAT TRICK
pic.twitter.com/AyNFIl6blA
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) September 6, 2026
The timing is particularly impressive considering Sanchez had never scored more than five regular-season goals in an NWSL season before 2026. She has more than tripled that previous best in a campaign that has established her as the league’s leading scorer.
Sanchez entered Sunday’s match leading the Golden Boot race and only strengthened her position with the hat trick. She also recorded her fifth multi-goal game of the season, setting a new NWSL record in the process.
Sanchez now has her sights set on an even bigger mark. Temwa Chawinga’s NWSL record of 20 goals, set in 2024, is just two goals away. With the Courage still having seven regular-season matches to play, Sanchez has plenty of time to take sole possession of the league record too.