Aubrey Kingsbury saved the first three penalties in a shootout and the Washington Spirit defeated defending champion Gotham FC to advance to the National Women’s Soccer League championship. The Spirit will face the winner of Sunday’s semifinal between the Orlando Pride and the Kansas City Current in the NWSL championship match next Saturday.
WASHINGTON — Aubrey Kingsbury saved the first three penalties in a shootout and the Washington Spirit defeated defending champion Gotham FC on Saturday to advance to the National Women’s Soccer League championship.
Esther González scored first for Gotham before Hal Hershfelt equalized in second-half stoppage time. With neither team scoring in extra time, the game went to a penalty shootout. “I just wanted to do what I could to help the team win,” the Spirit goalkeeper said after the game. “We’ve been practicing for these, and just to grind out those 120 minutes, I knew they would come through and make them — and I just did my part.”
The Spirit began to pass around Gotham’s pressure and responded with four shots on target in the first half, but Ann-Katrin Berger came up with several big saves.
Trinity Rodman NWSL Womens Sports Womens Soccer DC Wire NYC State Wire NJ State Wire NY State Wire Sports
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Newly launched Spirit Christmas stores by Spirit Halloween now open, with several locations in NJSix of eight locations across the Northeast began operating this week.
Read more »
Washington Spirit's Esme Morgan chases NWSL championshipEsme Morgan and the Washington Spirit are just two wins away from NWSL glory.
Read more »
Washington Spirit beats Gotham in shootout to reach NWSL finalWashington Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury saved all three penalties she faced as the Spirit defeated reigning champion NJ/NY Gotham FC, 3-0 in a penalty shootout on Saturday at Audi Field to advance to next week's NWSL Championship.
Read more »
Bay FC's inaugural season in NWSL ends with playoff loss to Washington SpiritTrinity Rodman's cross was deflected into the goal in extra time to give the Washington Spirit a 2-1 victory over Bay FC in the first round of the National Women's Soccer League playoffs.
Read more »
Bay FC ‘not scared of anybody’ entering inaugural playoff game at high-flying Washington SpiritSeventh-seeded Bay FC is the underdog against the Washington Spirit, but Bay star Racheal Kundananji, fresh off a brace in the regular-season finale, isn’t backing down.
Read more »
Washington Spirit vs. Bay FC Predicted Lineups: NWSL PlayoffsTrinity Rodman will be shaking off a back injury as her Californian opponent makes their playoff debut.
Read more »