NWSL Washington Spirit defeated Seattle Reign 2-1 at Audi Field, with Katherine Hailey Hershfelt scoring the winning goal in the 81st minute. Leicy María Santos Herrera had opened the scoring for the Spirit, but an own goal from Lucia Di Guglielmo leveled the score for Seattle before halftime. The match featured five yellow cards and an even 50% possession split between the teams.
Spirit Takes Early Lead
The match began with an immediate caution for Washington’s Lou-Ahou-Élisabeth Tsé in the fifth minute. Seattle Reign’s Holly Noushin Ward also received a yellow card before the 18th minute. Despite these early bookings, Washington Spirit found an attacking rhythm. In the 18th minute, Leicy María Santos Herrera scored, putting the Spirit ahead 1-0. This goal marked the first advantage for the home side, who registered 12 shots during the match, outnumbering Seattle Reign’s five total attempts. The Spirit’s early offensive efforts provided the initial goal in the first half.
Seattle Finds Equalizer
After conceding, Seattle Reign looked to equalize. Their efforts resulted in a goal just before the interval. In the 44th minute, Lucia Di Guglielmo inadvertently deflected the ball into her own net, bringing Seattle level at 1-1. This own goal changed the scoreline as the teams prepared for the halftime break. While Washington had generated more offensive output with their shot count, the score reflected an even contest after Di Guglielmo’s intervention. The 1-1 score set the stage for the second half.
Second Half Discipline
The second half maintained the intensity of the first, characterized by challenges and continued fouls. Possession remained evenly split, with both teams concluding the match with 50% of the ball. Cautions continued to accumulate. Seattle’s Sally Marie Menti received a yellow card in the 59th minute, followed by her teammate Phoebe Lynch McClernon ten minutes later, in the 69th minute. Washington also added to the card count, with Andi Maureen Sullivan cautioned in the 78th minute. These bookings were distributed across the pitch, highlighting the tight marking and challenges for every ball as both sides aimed for an advantage. The match saw a total of five yellow cards issued.
Hershfelt Secures Points
As the match progressed into its final stages, the Washington Spirit found the decisive moment. In the 81st minute, Katherine Hailey Hershfelt scored, restoring the Spirit’s lead to 2-1. This goal marked the Spirit’s third shot on target of the match, compared to Seattle’s two. Hershfelt’s strike provided the winning goal after a period of sustained effort from both teams. Seattle Reign attempted to find a second equalizer in the remaining minutes, but the Spirit preserved their advantage. The referee signaled the end of play, confirming the 2-1 scoreline, with the Washington Spirit securing all three points at Audi Field.
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