Spirit Returns to Winning Ways
September 10, 2022 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Washington Spirit News Release
Washington, D.C. – The Washington Spirit secured its first win since May 1 after a game-winning penalty kick goal from Ashley Hatch late in stoppage time, breaking an 18-match winless streak in the process.
San Diego Wave FC generated the first chance of the game in the third minute. The ball was slipped through to Jaedyn Shaw who found herself in a one-on-one situation with Aubrey Kingsbury, who was able to make the first save of the match. Just a few minutes later, Shaw would capitalize on her second opportunity. The ball was crossed in from the right side of the field, finding Shaw who placed a first-time finish past Kingsbury to put Wave FC up 1-0.
Tara McKeown would find the equalizer just four minutes later. In the 11th minute, Ashley Sanchez made a darting run down the field before playing the ball inside the 18-yard box to McKeown. Taking it in stride, McKeown placed a finish into the upper right hand corner of the goal. It was Sanchez and McKeown linking up again for another Spirit chance in the 20th minute, however the shot by McKeown would find itself just wide of the post.
In the 29th minute, Kingsbury was called on again as Turnbow placed a shot to the left corner. Kingsbury was able to make the save, diving to meet the shot and keeping the game level. In the following minute, defender Amber Brooks found the back of the net to give the Spirit its first lead of the day. Off a deflection from a Trinity Rodman attempt, the ball bounced around inside the 18-yard box. Dropping for Brooks, she slotted home the ball into the lower left corner of the net, scoring her first regular season goal in over three years.
In the 43rd minute, Rodman fired a shot toward goal that was met equally by Sheridan, who dove to the near post and put the ball out for a corner. On the ensuing corner, Brooks doubled the Spirit’s lead, finding her second goal of the game and earning her first career NWSL brace in the process. Sam Staab placed an inswinging corner to the back post. Backpedaling, Brooks was able to get her head to the ball, beating Sheridan at the post. The 44th minute goal would mark the first match this season in which Wave FC conceded three goals in a game.
After the halftime break, it was once again San Diego that created the first major opportunity. In the 54th minute, Wave FC was awarded a penalty kick. Sheridan sent a long clearance that would find the head of Alex Morgan in stride. Brooks made the challenge on Morgan, resulting in a penalty. Brooks was shown a yellow card for her challenge and will miss the next match due to accumulation. Morgan placed her shot to the right corner, finishing from the spot past a diving Kingsbury who dove the correct way in the 57th minute.
Morgan would net her second of the game in the 83rd minute to yet again equalize the game. Off of a contested corner kick decision, Morgan met the ball with the back of her head and scored her league-leading 15th goal of the season.
Late in extra time, the Spirit was awarded a penalty. Rodman crossed the ball in which Sheridan punched away, falling to the feet of McKeown. Taking a touch inside, McKeown was taken down and awarded the penalty. Ashley Hatch calmly stepped up to the spot in the 100th minute. Hammering home a shot to the left corner, Hatch scored the vital goal to keep the Spirit’s playoff hopes alive.
Washington will remain at home for its next match on Saturday, September 17 as it takes on NJ/NY Gotham FC. The game is scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m. at Audi Field as the Spirit looks to win back-to-back matches for the first time in five months.
-NWSL Match Report-
Match: Washington Spirit vs. San Diego Wave FC
Date: September 10, 2022
Venue: Audi Field
Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. ET
Weather: Cloudy, high-70s
Lineups:
WAS: 1- Aubrey Kingsbury; 21- Anna Heilferty; 3- Sam Staab; 22- Amber Brooks; 30- Camryn Biegalski; 16- Julia Roddar (19- Dorian Bailey 60′); 11- Jordan Baggett (13- Bayley Feist 87′); 2- Trinity Rodman; 33- Ashley Hatch; 10- Ashley Sanchez (25- Marissa Sheva 90′); 9- Tara McKeown
Unused Substitutes: 17- Tinaya Alexander; 7- Taylor Aylmer; 29- Maddie Elwell; 18- Devon Kerr; 24- Alia Martin; 4- Karina Rodriguez
SD: 1- Kailen Sheridan; 14- Kristen McNabb; 4- Naomi Girma; 18- Kaleigh Riehl; 16- Madison Pogarch (20- Christen Westphal 46′); 6- Kelsey Turnbow (7- Amirah Ali 62′); 5- Emily van Egmond; 23- Belle Briede (15- Makenzy Doniak 80′); 11- Jaedyn Shaw (9- Jodie Taylor 72′); 33- Katie Johnson (22- Taylor Kornieck 46′); 13- Alex Morgan
Unused Substitutes: 2- Abby Dahlkemper; 10- Sofia Jakobsson; 27- Marleen Schimmer; 21- Carly Telford
Stats Summary: WAS / SD
Shots: 17 / 17
Shots On Goal: 8 / 7
Saves: 4 / 4
Shots Blocked: 4 / 3
Fouls: 10 / 12
Offsides: 1 / 2
Misconduct Summary:
WAS – Anna Heilferty – 14′ – Yellow Card
WAS – Ashley Sanchez – 45’+5′ – Yellow Card
WAS – Amber Brooks – 55′ – Yellow Card
SD – Kaleigh Riehl – 63′ – Yellow Card
SD – Kristen McNabb – 77′ – Yellow Card
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