The Washington Spirit picked up its first three points of the season Friday night against the Houston Dash. Washington has now won three in a row against the Texas side for the first time in nine years and back-to-back in Houston for the first time.
Goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury came to the rescue early in the 11th minute after a Spirit giveaway. Delanie Sheehan saw a good opportunity to take the Dash ahead early but Kingsbury made a diving save to her left to keep things level. Off the following corner, Danielle Colaprico went for glory but the shot went directly to Kingsbury.
In the 16th minute, Spirit-youngster Chloe Ricketts laid the ball off to Leicy Santos. The Colombian international launched a beautiful cross into the center of the box to an off-balanced Ashley Hatch. A little flick from Hatch kept goalkeeper Jane Campbell on her toes with the up-close save. The deflection wasn’t strong enough to clear it and Makenna Morris was in perfect position to pounce on the chance for the Spirit’s first goal.
Later in the first half, the Dash played out the back inefficiently and squandered possession. The Spirit’s high press forced a turnover by the hosts and kept the ball in their half. Chloe Ricketts sent a screamer from 18 yards out that beat Jane Campbell but hit the crossbar. The ball took a single bounce before Hatch poached it for the Spirit’s second goal.
Houston had few chances in the first half and their best chance came amidst some confusion in stoppage time, but their lone goal eventually came in the 75th minute.
With the hosts desperate to get on the board, they threatened the Spirit with a pacey counterattack. Evelina Duljan played a ball out wide to Avery Patterson on the right flank. She dribbled the ball toward her defender and cut back to the outside before sending a cross to the far post. While it wasn’t pretty, Maggie Graham was still able to lock down a consolation goal after a slight deflection near the goal line.
The match ended 2-1 and brought the Spirit near the top of the table. Next up, the Spirit will return to Audi Field for the first time since November, against the Kansas City Current at 7:30 p.m. EDT.
-Jon Jones
Photo: Courtesy of Washington Spirit