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…