The Washington Spirit take on the Utah Royals at Audi Field. The Spirit, currently 5th in the NWSL table are looking to climb up the second after a hug win over the Chicago Stars last week. With the sports 2-7 separated by three points, the Spirit have a great chance over the Royals, who are in 13th. Washington get a huge boost with NWSL rookie of the year Croix Bethune getting her first start since her season-ending injury in August, and Hal Hershfelt on the bench returning from injury.
A first half full of firsts
Brecken Mozingo gives the Royals the lead in the 9th minute, scoring her first ever professional goal. After the first few minutes of back and forth gameplay, the underdogs of the night are up against the Spirit. in the 16th minute, Ashley Hatch equalizes with a banger after a poor giveaway in the box. Meg Boade puts the Spirit in the lead three minutes later, also getting her first professional goal.
A game of goals
After Boade's goal, Cece Kizer equalizes two minutes later for Utah, and the score is 2-2. Halfway through the first half, and it's a game full of goals. With a rare error from Washington goalkeeper Kingsbury leading to an owl goal from Rebeca Bernal, Utah are up again ten minutes before halftime.
The second half starts out grim for Utah with Kizer being subbed out due to injury in the 54th minute. While Washington has had a majority of the ball up to this point, they can't capitalize on the crosses coming into the box. It's been Washington maintaining possession, but not a lot of show for it. Utah are up 3-2 against the Spirit.
Hershfelt makes her first appearance since the start of the season. After a controversial potential penalty is called off earlier in the half, there's another VAR check for a penalty for Washington three minutes before the end of the game, which is given. Hatch misses her first ever penalty, and 13 minutes of stoppage time is added on. Casey Krueger comes up huge for the Spirit with a briIllant header in the dying minutes of the game. The goal-packed game ends with a draw.