Spirit Take All Three Points in Tacoma

Washington Spirit  |   May 30, 2021
Spirit Take All Three Points in Tacoma Featured Image

Jordan Small
WashingtonSpirit.com

Tacoma, WA., (05/30/2021) – The Washington Spirit finished up the month of May with a 1-0 win against OL Reign at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, Washington.

The match began with two early free kicks for the Reign just outside of the Spirit’s 18-yard box. In the 15’, Spirit forward Ashley Sanchez got on the end of an Ashley Hatch through ball to flick in towards goal but Reign goalkeeper made the save to keep things even at 0-0.

OL Reign’s best chance of the half came in the 37’ when Reign midfielder Megan Rapinoe ripped one from well outside the box. Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe was up to the task, directing the shot out for a corner kick. 

The Reign opened the second half with a good spell of possession but no real opportunities to show for it. Then, just seven minutes into the half off of a Julia Roddar corner kick, the Spirit went up 1-0 after a Rapinoe own goal at the back post. 

In the 72’, the Spirit almost doubled their lead when midfielder Dorian Bailey hit a rocket of a shot off the crossbar that bounced just inside the field of play. That capped off what was a busy few minutes of chances for the Spirit midway through the second half. Sanchez had another good chance with under ten minutes left to play but her header was easily saved by Bardsley.

The Spirit will return home on June 6 to face the Orlando Pride at Audi Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET and can be found on Paramount+ in the U.S. and Twitch for international fans.

-NWSL Match Report-

Match: Washington Spirit vs. Houston Dash

Date: May 30, 2021

Venue: Cheney Stadium

Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. ET

Weather: Sunny, low-70s

Scoring Summary:

Goals 1 2 F
Washington 0 1 1
OL Reign 0 0 0

WAS – Own Goal (Rapinoe) – 52’

Lineups:

WAS (4-3-3): 1-Aubrey Bledsoe (C); 5-Kelley O’Hara; 3-Sam Staab; 6-Emily Sonnett; 23-Tori Huster; 4-Natalie Jacobs; 16-Julia Roddar (19-Dorian Bailey 58’); 33-Ashley Hatch (21-Anna Heilferty 67’); 10-Ashley Sanchez; 27-Tara McKeown; 17-Kumi Yokoyama (2-Trinity Rodman 45’)

Unused Substitutes: 18-Devon Kerr; 20-Mariana Speckmaier; 7-Saori Takarada; 9-Tegan McGrady; 11-Jordan DiBiasi; 30-Camryn Biegalski

RGN (4-3-3): 1-Karen Bardsley (33-Ella Dederick 86’); 3-Lauren Barnes; 19-Kristen McNabb; 2-Amber Brooks; 99-Madison Hammond; 10-Jessica Fishlock; 28-Shirley Cruz (26-Angelina 75’); 16-Rose Lavelle (17-Dani Weatherholt 64’); 15-Megan Rapinoe (24-Bethany Balcer 75’); 23-Tziarra King (35-Leah Pruitt 64’); 11-Sofia Huerta 

Unused Substitutes: 31-Rosie White; 27-Samantha Hiatt; 14-Stephanie Cox; 18-Machaela George

Stats Summary: WAS / RGN

Shots: 12/15 

Shots on Target: 6/6 

Saves: 6/6 

Blocked Shots: 3/3

Fouls: 10/11

Offside: 0/4

Misconduct Summary:

RGN – Amber Brooks 87’ – Yellow Card

Officials:

Center Referee: Samantha Martinez 

Assistant Referees: Tiffini Turpin, Baboucarr Jallow 

4th Official: Jaclyn Metz

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