CRYSTAL DUNN NETS GAME WINNING GOAL IN THE SPIRIT’S 2-1 WIN OVER THE THORNS

Washington Spirit  |   May 30, 2015
CRYSTAL DUNN NETS GAME WINNING GOAL IN THE SPIRIT’S 2-1 WIN OVER THE THORNS Featured Image

BOYDS, Md. (May 30, 2015) – The Washington Spirit (4-2-1, 13 points) won a fought battle against the Portland Thorns FC  (2-3-2, 8 points) at Maureen Hendricks Field on May 30th on a beautiful night for women’s soccer.

Both sides played an even match in the first fifteen minutes with the Spirit holding the momentum in the midfield, combining passes and through balls to forward Crystal Dunn.

The first dangerous opportunity of the game came from the Thorns in the 18th minute when Allie Long played Genoveva Anonma a ball which she slotted past Spirit goalkeeper Kelsey Wys, giving Thorns the 1-0 lead.

Washington continued pressing in the next ten minutes and equalized in the 26th minute when midfielder Christine Nairn collected the ball, made a great move to turn the ball and served it to Amanda Da Costa, who one timed it off the bounce into the back of the net.

Crystal Dunn caused trouble for the Thorns’ backline  the whole game and in the 28th minute with great pressure on the Thorns’ goalkeeper, Michelle Betos, Dunn snatched the ball away and scored on an open net. With six goals on the season, Crystal Dunn gave the Spirit a 2-1 lead heading into the second half.

The second half was far more physical than the first and ended with five cards awarded between the two sides.
In the last fifteen minutes of the game, the Spirit continued to press forward throwing attacking players at the Thorns backline including del Rio and Dunn.

Making her 2015 debut NWSL, Tiffany Weimer entered the game in the 90th minute, replacing Amanda Da Costa.

In the final minute of the match, the Thorns received a free kick just outside the box following a foul by defender Estelle Johnson.  Kelsey Wys punched the ball clear to keep the Spirit ahead. The last opportunity came off a Portland corner. All 11 Thorns players came forward including keeper Betos. However, the Spirit denied the last ditch effort from the Thorns and cleared the ball securing the 2-1 victory.

The Washington Spirit are undefeated at home and will look to continue that streak on June 6th at 7 pm against the Boston Breakers.

Washington Spirit Lineup
Kelsey Wys; Katherine Reynolds, Megan Oyster, Estelle Johnson, Whitney Church, , Joanna Lohman (Caprice Dydasco 75′), Angela Salem, Christine Nairn, Amanda Da Costa (Tiffany Weimer 91+) , Crystal Dunn, Laura del Rio (Alex Singer 82′)
Subs not used: Emily Lillard, Skogerboe, Tori Huster
Portland Thorns Lineup
Michelle Betos, Emily Menges, Kat Williamson, Mana Shim, Sinead Farrelly, Genoveva Anonma, Allie Long, Kendall Johnson, Taylor Comeau (Alyssa Kleiner 83′), Kelsey Haycook (Rachel Van Hollebeke 46′), McCall Zerboni (Sarah Jackson 67′)
Subs not used: Emily Kruger, Kate Bennett
GOALS                                               1          2        F
Washington Spirit                               2          0         2
Portland Thorns FC                            1          0          1
SCORING SUMMARY
Goal    Time    Team          Goal Scorer               Assist
1              18         Thorns         Genoveva Anonma      Allie Long
2             26        Spirit           Amanda Da Costa
3             28        Spirit           Crystal Dunn
CAUTIONS AND EJECTIONS
Time   Team                  ##        Player                     Card          Reason
57          Thorns                 10          Allie Long                Yellow        Reckless Foul
61          Spirit                   24         Estelle Johnson       Yellow       Defensive Handling
61          Thorns                  5           Kat Williamson       Yellow
71           Thorns                 71          Sinead Farrelly       Yellow       Reckless Foul
72           Thorns                20          Sarah Jackson         Yellow      Reckless Foul
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