The Washington Spirit get their first victory in the Challenge Cup and do it in style with Ashley Sanchez, Ashley Hatch, Trinity Rodman, and captain Andi Sullivan all getting on the score sheet. A much needed victory as this win moves them up to second in their group right before the international break.
The beginning of the first half had a real feeling out process as both teams were looking to use a high press and attack on the counter. In the early goings it was the Pride who found the most success, often forcing the Spirit back-line to hurry the ball out of their feet. The first big chance of the game though came from the Spirit in the 28th minute as Ashley Hatch as her goal bound shot was cleared off the line at the last second.
As the game progressed it was the Pride who started to falter under the high press of the Spirit, multiple giveaways from the goalie Anna Moorehouse and Pride back line. After it looked like the Pride had weathered the storm for the first half, the Spirit scored twice in as many minutes. The first being an excellent team move down the left side of the pitch as Trinity Rodman put a low and hard cross across the box, Ashley Hatch let go through her legs which left Ashley Sanchez unmarked at the back post for a simple tap in. The second was just as easy for the Spirit as Rodman, now on the left fizzed a ball into the feet of Hatch who with a spinning shot double the hosts lead right before half.
It took the Spirit only four minutes to add to their lead in the second half. This time, it was Camryn Biegalski who got the assist, after receiving the ball from Sanchez she crossed it to the seemingly unmarked Hatch who had to simply direct the ball into the near post.
It was not all doom and gloom for the Pride as in the 54th minute, Darian Jenkins was able to out pace two Spirit defenders and pick out Gunny Jónsdóttir with the cross. She still had a lot left to do though as she had to have a diving shot between two Spirit defenders but that did not matter as she was able to break the Pride’s Goal Drought. A drought that had stretched 492-minutes, dating back to Oct. 16, 2021.
As time went on in the match though, it was clear that the Spirit were not happy with just their 2-goal cushion. Keeping their high press and fast pace attacks the Pride were under Siege for most of the second half. It looked like they had that extra goal in the 79th minute as Rodman put the ball in the back of the net. It would be ruled offside yet in a comedic fashion the fireworks went off in Audi Stadium even after it was ruled out.
The Spirit would get the final nail in the coffin though in the 87th minute as Rodman would eventually get her goal. Kelly O’Hara would float up a cross to the center of the box and Rodman rose like a fish over Pride Defender Montefusco, and used her head to freeze the keeper as the ball dropped into the near post. Putting the scoreline at 4-1, a score that would remain true to final whistle
Both teams now get the international break to prepare for the rest of the group stage of the Challenge Cup. The Spirit will be sending seven players away to International duty and will hope to top the group upon their return. They will be on the road on Sunday April, 7th to face Gotham FC at 3:00pm.
For the Pride they will have to use this time to regroup and hope to save some pride when they return as they are already eliminated from advancing any further in the competition. Their next game they will be playing host to the North Carolina Courage on Saturday, April 16th at 7:00pm.
Washington Spirit
Orlando Pride
