When the Spirit is on the defense, it has been solid, clearing 113 balls (2nd in the NWSL) and allowing only 14 corners (1st in the NWSL), which has made way for the team’s high pressing attack. Notably, the Spirit still owns the best big chance conversion rate (66.7%), as well as recording 750 passes in the team’s own half – the fewest in the league by over 120 passes. Sheridan has faced only two more shots than Kingsbury, while the two have made the same number of saves, including the same number of saves inside the box. Comparatively, Wave FC keeper and reigning NWSL Goalkeeper of the YearKailen Sheridan has allowed a ninth-best 68.18% save percentage. Goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury’ s 80% save percentage is tied for second-best in the NWSL.
This victory was the second time the Spirit has won a regular season match when conceding three or more goals – the team was 1-30-4 prior to that. Both Amber Brooks and Alex Morgan notched braces in that game, making it the highest scoring regular season NWSL game in Audi Field history. The Spirit’s last match against San Diego – also at Audi Field – resulted in a 4-3 victory, with the game-winning goal coming off a penalty by Hatch in the 10th minute of second half stoppage time. She and NJ/NY Gotham FC’s Midge Purce (who has scored two penalties in just as many away matches this season) are the first NWSL players since 2016 to score two road penalties in the first five games of a season. Two of Hatch’s five career penalty kicks with the Spirit have come this season, both in road matches. This is Hatch’s third consecutive season scoring three or more goals within the first five games of the NWSL regular season. Hatch has converted all five of her penalty kick attempts during her Spirit career and is now tied with Kansas City’s Debhina and Portland’s Sophia Smith as the top scorer this season. This week, Staab was named to the NWSL’s Best XI of the Month.įorward Ashley Hatch began the scoring last weekend, executing a penalty kick in the 29th minute for her fourth goal of the season. In that match, defender Sam Staab broke the NWSL record for consecutive regular season starts, making her 73rd in a row. The Spirit is coming off a 1-1 road draw against Chicago, making the side one of two teams (alongside Portland Thorns FC) that remains unbeaten through the first five games of the regular season. International viewers can stream the match on as well. and will broadcast nationally on CBS for fans across the United States. () – The Washington Spirit will face San Diego Wave FC on Saturday afternoon in both sides’ sixth match of the 2023 regular season.
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