The Washington Spirit extended its away winning streak to four matches on Saturday with a 3-2 victory over Chicago Stars FC. The Spirit also became the second team in league history to start a season 4-0-0 on the road.
In the 31st minute, the Spirit broke the deadlock when a cross from forward Rosemonde Kouassi ricocheted off Chicago’s Ally Schlegel and into the net for an own goal.
Just five minutes later, however, the Stars leveled the match when former Spirit player Camryn Biegalski found Julia Grosso attacking down the right side. She kept her composure, dribbled to her left, and cleared a left-footed effort past Aubrey Kingsbury to level the match at 1-1.
Just before halftime, the Spirit retook the lead when Kouassi recorded her first career NWSL goal. Defender Tara McKeown lofted a beautiful ball into the box to Kouassi, where a light one-timed deflection was enough to beat Alyssa Naeher.
In the 54th minute, Chicago kept the visitors on their heels, pushing their attacking line higher. The hosts found an equalizer when another former Spirit player, Sam Staab, buried a loose ball in the box into the back of the net.
In the 64th minute, Chicago had a good chance to take the lead when Ludmila bested her defender and reached a cross into the box, but her header flew over the crossbar.
By the 78th minute, things had gotten tighter between the two sides, with physicality rising and chances coming from both sides. After a mispossession, the ball landed to Maitane at the top of the box. She then fired a rocket from her spot that forced a diving Aubrey Kingsbury save that deflected off the post. Kingsbury was able to cover it safely and switch and start their attack.
In the 83rd minute, Monday delivered the game-winning goal off an assist from Kouassi, who sent a cross into the box where Monday poked the ball home. The score marked Monday’s third goal in the last four matches, two of which have been game-winners.
The Spirit returns home to Washington, D.C., to host Utah Royals FC at Audi Field on Saturday, May 17, in the club’s annual Salute to Service match. The match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. EDT.
-Jon Jones
Photo: Courtesy of Washington Spirit