May 19, 2022 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Portland Thorns FC News Release
PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC played to a 1-1 draw with the Washington Spirit at Providence Park on Wednesday night. Sophia Smith scored Portland’s lone goal and her second of the season. Facing a quick turnaround, Thorns FC continue their home stretch, playing host to the Houston Dash on Saturday.
Unbeaten to Start the Season
Portland is the only team in the NWSL that remains unbeaten in the 2022 campaign. They’ve allowed the fewest goals (1), while scoring the fourth most (4) in the league. Thorns FC have taken more shots on goal (19) than any other team to start the 2022 season.
Bixby Breaking Records
In the eighth minute of tonight’s match, Bella Bixby broke the club record for consecutive shutout minutes, previously set at 371 by Adrianna Franch. The streak was snapped in the 63rd minute, closing it out at a total of 427 minutes. The streak began on Oct. 13, 2021, after conceding a penalty-kick goal to OL Reign in the 86th minute. Thorns FC went on to record two clean sheets to close out the 2021 season and started the 2022 campaign with clean sheets in their first two matches.
Smith File
Smith has scored five goals in her last eight games across all competitions for Portland. Tonight’s goal marked her team-leading second of the 2022 regular season. Her first goal of the 2022 campaign came against Kansas City on April 30 as a second half substitute, marking her first career regular season goal. Notably, Portland is undefeated when Smith has scored a goal this year (4-0-1). In 2021, Thorns FC posted a record of 6-1-0 when Smith scored a goal.
Goal-Scoring Plays
POR – Sophia Smith (Natalia Kuikka), 57th minute: Natalia Kuikka played Sophia Smith into space down the right wing. Smith dribbled at her defender, cutting toward the endline before slotting a right-footed shot inside of the far-post netting.
WAS – Ashley Hatch (Anna Heilferty), 63rd minute: Anna Heilferty served…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at OurSports Central Women's Soccer News…