April 26, 2024 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL)
Orlando Pride News Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Orlando Pride (3-0-3, 12 points) continued its hot start to the 2024 NWSL season, picking up a 3-2 victory over the Washington Spirit (4-2-0, 12 points) in the nation’s capital on Friday night. The Pride were backed by goals from Angelina, Summer Yates and Barbra Banda, with the latter also tallying an assist and earning a penalty kick in her first-ever NWSL start.
Orlando is now unbeaten through the first six games of the season, earning three points in each of its last three matches. The Club has also scored goals in its last 10 matches, dating back to the 2023 season, tying a franchise record.
The Pride got the scoring started with a first half goal from Angelina, with Banda earning her assist on the play. After entering the locker room knotted at 1-1, Banda then scored her goal off a corner kick before drawing a penalty that Yates put away.
Angelina’s goal marked the first of her Pride career, while Yates’ accounted for her third of the season.
The Pride managed to hold onto the one-goal lead despite being down to 10 players for all 11 minutes of second-half stoppage time.
Scoring Summary:
22′ Angelina (Barbra Banda) – ORL 1, WAS 0
The Pride opened the scoring on the road after Barbra Banda got on the end of a ball sent up the field. Banda whipped a cross in right to the penalty spot that found an oncoming Angelina who struck a volley into the back of the net for the lead.
40′ Ouleymata Sarr (Croix Bethune) – ORL 1, WAS 1
The home side leveled things minutes before the close of the first half, with Ouleymata Sarr breaking behind the Pride backline and sending a ball over the head of an onrushing Anna Moorhouse.
51′ Barbra Banda (Julie Doyle) – ORL 2, WAS 1
The Pride took the lead back early in the second half after a corner kick from Summer Yates was whipped near the front post. Julie Doyle managed to get a foot to it to flick it on and find the head of Banda who made no mistake in front of the goal.
57′ Summer Yates (Penalty Kick) – ORL 3, WAS 1
The visitors extended their lead shortly after Banda was taken down in the box and awarded a penalty kick. Yates stepped up to the spot, sent the keeper the wrong way, and put the ball in the back of the net.
65′ Ashley Hatch – ORL 3, WAS 2
The Spirit pulled one back after Ashley Hatch was able to get a shot off that found the way through the hands of the Pride goalkeeper.
Head Coach Seb Hines:
“[The final whistle was]…