April 26, 2024 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL)
Washington Spirit News Release
Washington, D.C. – The Spirit fell short this evening in a 2-3 loss to Orlando Pride at Audi Field.
The first 20 minutes of the match could accurately be described as a chess match, with each team feeling each other out trying to surgically find the holes in the other’s defense. After multiple scoring attempts from both teams, Orlando broke the stalemate with Angelina scoring the first goal of the night off an assist by Barbra Banda in the 22nd minute of the match. This was Angelina’s first career NWSL goal and Banda’s first career NWSL assist.
Despite Orlando swarming the Washington box and issuing multiple shots in the ensuing minutes, the Spirit responded with strong displays of defense, keeping Orlando from adding to its lead.
The Spirit responded in the 40th minute of the match when Croix Bethune made multiple touches giving her space to set up Ouleye Sarr for a chipper that lofted perfectly over the Orlando keeper, sending the Spirit crowd – 11,636 strong – into a frenzy.
This was Sarr’s second goal this season, her last being against Utah Royals FC on March 31. Additionally, Bethune logged her first assist of the season. She has continued her streak of goal contributions with two goals and one assist in her last three games.
The pressure from both teams didn’t let up in the second half of the match. Banda added to her electrifying performance, heading a ball past Aubrey Kingsbury off a corner service in the 51st minute.
Orlando piled on six minutes later when Summer Yates converted a penalty kick in the 57th minute. Banda contributed to this goal, as well, after drawing the penalty at the top of the box moments earlier.
The Spirit did not quit and answered shortly after when Ashley Hatch, who entered the match as a substitute in the second half, buried a bomb she sent from well outside of the box. The goal was her second of the season.
A goal down, the Spirit engaged the Pride in several intense exchanges, leading to a crescendo of energy from the crowd until the end of the match. After multiple chances in the Orlando box, including a ball from Hatch that hit the woodwork, the Spirit couldn’t find the equalizer.
Of note, Casey Krueger eclipsed her 10,000th career regular season minute in today’s match, the 46th player in NWSL history to do so.
Next up, the Spirit travels to SeatGeek Stadium where the team will take on the Chicago Red Stars at 8 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, May…