August 27, 2022 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Washington Spirit News Release
Houston, Texas – The Washington Spirit recorded its tenth draw of the season Saturday night against the Dash.
It would be the Dash who created the first attacking move. In the fourth minute of the game, Sánchez played in a cross from the left-hand side, calling on Aubrey Kingsbury to collect the ball through traffic. The Dash would follow up with a more clear cut chance in the ninth minute. Salmon found herself in a one-on-one opportunity, breaking free at midfield. Making a last minute recovery run, the Spirit defenders were able to apply pressure and put the ball out for a corner.
In the 22nd minute, the Dash opened up the scoring off a set piece opportunity. With a free kick crossed in from the right-hand side of the pitch, the ball deflected off a Spirit defender, forcing a save from Kingsbury. After hitting the post and bouncing around inside the six-yard box, the ball would fall to Schmidt, getting the final touch to put the ball over the line and into the back of the net.
The first opportunity for the Spirit would come in the 29th minute from Tara McKeown. After a stint of possession outside the box, the ball made its way out wide to McKeown. Cutting inside from the left, McKeown fired a shot to the lower left corner inside the 18 calling on Dash goalkeeper Jane Campbell to make the save, making way for a Washington corner.
In the 49th minute, Trinity Rodman generated the first opportunity of the half for the Spirit. Taking a shot in stride off a pass from Ashley Sanchez, Rodman placed a shot to the top right corner that was pushed over the bar and out for a corner by Campbell. The Dash would fire back with a shot from Salmon in the 51st minute, placed down the middle making a routine save for Kingsbury. In the following minute, Kingsbury was called on once again. Off an over the top through ball, Salmon found herself in a one-on-one with Kingsbury who came out and got on the ground to block Salmon’s shot.
Ashley Hatch would be the defining piece for the Spirit, starting in the 53rd minute. Off of a streaking run from Rodman on the right side, she placed a low cross into Hatch. Separating herself between defenders, Hatch would tap the ball into the back of the net from six yards out. Two minutes later, Hatch found the back of the net again. The Spirit was awarded a free kick just outside of the box on the left side after a foul on Hatch. On the resulting…