South Jersey native Tziarra King scores late equalizer in NWSL debut

Sicklerville, N.J. native Tziarra King announced her official arrival in NWSL with a late equalizer for the host Utah Royals FC in the NWSL Challenge Cup on Tuesday.

King, who was drafted eighth overall out of NC State by the Royals back in January, came on in the 69th minute to make her professional debut and 20 minutes later got on the end of a free kick to make it 3-3.

Houston jumped to a 3-1 lead with three unanswered goals after Diane Matheson opened the scoring in the 35th minute for the Royals. The comeback was on when Verónica Boquete made it 3-2 in the 82nd and set up the dramatic finish.

“Obviously this whole day was special and from the warm up (head coach Craig Harrington) told me you know, you’re gonna be that spark off the bench,” King said in a post-game interview. “I’m glad I could step up into that.”

King was named the Budweiser Woman of the Match. Not a bad way to start a career.