April 30, 2023 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Washington Spirit News Release
Bridgeview, Ill. – The Spirit and Red Stars began play in the 1001st NWSL regular season match, kicking off after Racing Louisville FC and OL Reign faced off in the League’s 1000th match since its inception in 2012.
With a start in today’s game, defender Sam Staab established a new NWSL record of 73 consecutive regular season starts. She surpassed teammate and fellow defender Amber Brooks who previously held the record.
Action began quickly in this Saturday evening matchup with a header from Ashley Hatch off an in-swinging cross from Trinity Rodman. The 20-year-old forward would swing in another cross inside the box moments later just past the foot of first-year midfielder Paige Metayer. Rodman would log four touches in the opponent’s box and three crosses in the first nine minutes of action.
What followed was two pieces of preventative goalkeeping coming from former USWNT teammates – Red Stars keeper Alyssa Naeher and the Spirit’s Aubrey Kingsbury. Naeher cut off Hatch following a dangerous pass from left back Gabrielle Carle. Moments later, Kingsbury cleared the ball just before Red Stars rookie Ally Schlegel got a foot on the ball.
The first disciplinary action came in the 17′ when center back Tara McKeown tackled Schlegel from behind, leading to an Ella Stevens’ free kick that sailed over the bar. However, a defensive error by Stevens – tripping Spirit midfielder Inès Jaurena inside the box – would lead to a Spirit penalty kick.
Hatch took, and made, the penalty kick attempt in the 29′, tying 2022 NWSL MVP Sophia Smith for the most goals (4) in the NWSL. She is five-for-five from the spot during the regular season in her Spirit career.
The Spirit lead was short-lived as the Red Stars would tie the score off of Bianca St-Georges’ foot in the 33′. Schlegel found St-Georges and subsequently earned her first career NWSL assist.
The Spirit, who came into the match owning the lowest possession percentage in the League, dominated possession (60%) in the first half. Six of the Spirit’s seven shots came inside the opponent’s box, and the team logged 17 touches in the opponent’s box to the Red Stars four.
In the second half, St-Georges continued her tireless attack, splitting Staab and McKeown and aiming a touch shot towards goal that was deflected by Kingsbury. Red Stars teammate Arin Wright put another shot on goal minutes later, but the attempt was easily saved by…