June 23, 2024 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL)
Washington Spirit News Release
Harrison, N.J. – The Spirit defeated NJ/NY Gotham FC, 2-0, in a clash between two of the NWSL’s top four teams. After a timely goal from rookie Courtney Brown and Gotham playing with ten players, the Spirit was able to leave with a clean sheet and earn a sweep of the season series against the reigning NWSL Champion.
Gotham FC controlled the opening minutes of this highly contested match. The first opportunity came in the fourth minute when Mandy Freeman lasered a ball only inches above the goal. Later, Spirit keeper Aubrey Kingsbury was drawn out of the net, but Andi Sullivan stopped a Gotham FC shot on goal.
A major moment in the first half occurred without the ball when Trinity Rodman collided with Tierna Davidson. The Spirit forward later returned to the pitch following a long break.
The first Spirit shot of the match proved decisive. Croix Bethune sent a perfectly weighted pass to fellow rookie Courtney Brown who then buried the ball in the back of the net for her first career goal.
With the goal, Brown joins Bethune, Hal Hershfelt and Kate Wiesner as Spirit rookies who have scored this season. The four goals by rookies are the most of any team in the NWSL. Additionally, the assist increases Bethune’s lead in the Spirit record books as the all-time single-season leader with nine. She moves into a tie for second-most in NWSL history, joining Lauren Holiday (2013) and Nahomi Kawasumi (2017). Bethune accomplished this feat in just 14 matches. Nine assists are also more than any single player recorded during the entire 2023 NWSL regular season.
The Spirit’s second shot was nearly another goal. Just past the half field line, Rodman whipped a cross to Bethune, calling Gotham keeper Ann-Katrin Berger out of net. Berger whiffed leaving Bethune with a wide-open goal. She planted and sent a ball from well outside of the box, but the ball dribbled mere inches off the wide post.
As the first half progressed, so did the physicality of the match. Players were hitting the dirt one after another. This culminated in the 54th minute when Gotham’s Yazmeen Ryan was awarded her second yellow card of the half and was sent off the field, leaving Gotham FC with just ten players as the halftime whistle blew.
Moments into the second half, the Spirit almost immediately picked up its second goal. The goal was the result of a superb build up play beginning with Kingsbury. Casey Krueger…