With another victory, the Washington Spirit leaves North Carolina undefeated, tying on points with the Portland Thorns for the top of the NWSL standings.
The capitals take the three points from WakeMed thanks to the goals of their two infallible: forwards Trinity Rodman and Ashley Hatch.
Rodman opened the game as soon as it began with a great goal, but Kerolin, from the penalty spot, calmed things down and equalized shortly before we went to rest.
Hatch, also from eleven meters, put the balance back on the visiting side, which finally won the victory after a hard-fought game by both teams.
NORTH CAROLINA COURAGE 1 – WASHINGTON SPIRIT 2
Those from DC started the match in Cary brilliantly and ended up opening the scoring when we barely had six minutes into the game.
The locals had possession, but Trinity Rodman intercepted a back pass on the edge of the box and, after just two touches, put the ball to the far post, out of reach of Casey Murphy, who stretched but couldn’t prevent the goal from the rivals.
The goal did not detract from the Courage, who sought to respond to Rodman’s goal throughout the first half. Kerolin and Gejl had the clearest chances for the North Carolina team, but all the local attempts were blocked by a very well planted Spirit defense and by the goalkeeper, Aubrey Kingsbury.
However, just before the end of the first half, a treacherous handball inside the box gave the hosts a chance to level things before the break. Kerolin, putting all the suspense in the world into his shot, managed to beat Kingsbury from eleven meters.
There was still time for Kingsbury to save a shot from Gejl from outside the area. Sheva had the last one before the break, but her shot was blocked in front of the gate. With the score at 1-1 we went to the changing rooms.
Hatch sentenced from eleven meters
As in the first half, the Spirit took the lead again shortly after the start of this second half, this time from the penalty spot. Hatch was knocked down in the area and, after a VAR review, the referee’s decision was ratified.
Hatch herself was in charge of the launch, for the entire squad, unattainable for Murphy. Those of Washington restored the advantage.
The Courage increased their rhythm and pressure again, seeking to get back into the game. In minute 76, after a great team move, Emily Fox put in a good cross shot that was finally deflected to a corner by the defense.
Fox was one of the most participative in the local attack, but her efforts were not enough to level the match again.
The Spirit were about to put the third in the fourth minute of extension. Rodman was driving down the right side and, before running out of space, he raised his head to put in a cross for rookie Chloe Ricketts. After several rebounds, the young woman managed to get hold of the ball, but the shot went wide.
With almost no time left, the Courage called for a penalty after a Kingsbury exit after an aerial ball in what seemed like a foul on forward Tyler Lussi. The line flag was raised and the VAR confirmed the offside.
The Spirit managed to hold off the latest challenges from the locals and thus continue with one of their best starts in the league since 2016.
MATCH SHEET
Courage: Murphy (P), Pickett, Williams, Kurtz, Fox, Pinto (Farrow, min. 87), Miura (Ratcliffe, min. 87), O’Sullivan (C), Kerolin, Gejl (Lussi, min. 62) y Hopkins (Madsen, min. 71).
Coach: Sean Nahas.
Spirit: Kingsbury (P) (C), Carle (Brooks, min. 66), Staab, McKeown, Bailey, Sheva (Ricketts, min. 66), Sullivan, Jaurena (Baggett, min. 90+3), Hatch (Kuhlmann, min. 80), Rodman y Sanchez.
Trainer: Mark Parsons.
goals: 0-1 Rodman (min. 6), 1-1 Kerolin (min. 43) y 1-2 Hatch (min. 50).
Referee: Adorae Monroy.
Match played at WakeMed Soccer Park (Cary, North Carolina).
assistance: 5160 personas.
incidences: Yellow card to Sullivan (Spirit, min. 41), yellow card to Lussi (Courage, min. 69), yellow card to Rodman (Spirit, min. 78) and yellow card to Pinto (Courage, min. 81).
Author: marga martin
Photography: Washington Spirit
