NWSL Washington Spirit

Spirit Draw Reign FC in Dramatic Match at Audi Field

Published on September 14, 2019 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Washington Spirit News Release


Washington, D.C. - In the club's second game at Audi Field in 2019, the Washington Spirit earned a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Reign FC on Saturday night. A crowd of 17,418, the second-largest in Spirit history after last month's Audi Field match, packed the southwest D.C. venue as Washington split its season series with Reign and remained in the hunt for the NWSL playoffs.

The Spirit opened the scoring in the 30th minute as forward Ashley Hatch scored her second Audi Field header goal of the season. Mallory Pugh sent a cross into the box that Hatch somehow managed to redirect despite moving away from the goal and not directly facing her target.

Bethany Balcer equalized for Reign FC in the 35th minute and the game remained even deep into the second half. As the 90-minute mark approached, the Spirit sent Audi Field into a frenzy as midfielder Chloe Logarzo picked out the top right corner for a go-ahead goal.

Ifeoma Onumonu cut the celebrations short with a goal for Reign in the second minute of stoppage time to complete the game's dramatic finish. The Spirit and Reign tied all three of their meetings this year, making this Washington's first-ever unbeaten season against Reign FC.

The southwest D.C. crowd got to witness three stars from the U.S. women's national team take the field on Saturday. Pugh played all 90 minutes for the Spirit and was a key piece in Washington's attack, including her assist on the opening goal. Midfielder Allie Long played 60 minutes for Reign FC and World Cup Golden Ball winner Megan Rapinoe played the entire second half for the visitors.

The Spirit's playoff push will continue next weekend on the road at the Chicago Red Stars. Washington held steady in sixth place with Saturday's result, and has four games remaining to break into the NWSL's top four. Kickoff at Chicago is set for 8 p.m. ET next Saturday and D.C. area fans can catch the match on Monumental Sports Network and NBC Sports Washington.

-NWSL Match Report-

Match: Washington Spirit vs Reign FC

Date: September 14, 2019

Venue: Audi Field

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET

Attendance: 17,418

Weather: Cloudy, upper 70s

Scoring Summary:

Goals 1 2 F

Washington 1 1 2

Reign 1 1 2

WAS - Hatch 30'

RGN - Balcer 35'

WAS - Logarzo 90'

RGN - Onumonu 90+2'

Lineups:

WAS (4-3-3): 1-Aubrey Bledsoe; 14-Paige Nielsen; 3-Sam Staab; 23-Tori Huster; 5-Megan Crosson (84' 7-Amy Harrison); 12-Andi Sullivan (c); 8-Meggie Dougherty Howard; 11-Mallory Pugh; 33-Ashley Hatch; 4-Jordan DiBiasi (64' 6-Chloe Logarzo); 31-Crystal Thomas (59' 20-Cheyna Matthews)

Unused Substitutes: 17-Cali Farquharson; 2-Arielle Ship; 30-Shae Yanez; 13-Bayley Feist

RGN (4-3-3): 26-Casey Murphy; 8-Theresa Nielsen; 7-Stephanie Catley; 4-Megan Oyster; 19-Kristen McNabb; 31-Rosie White (46' 15-Megan Rapinoe); 6-Allie Long (60' 12-Morgan Andrews); 17-Beverly Yanez (c); 9-Jodie Taylor; 11-Darian Jenkins (70' 25-Ifeoma Onumonu); 24-Bethany Balcer

Unused Substitutes: 14-Morgan Proffitt; 13-Celia Jiménez; 5-Rebecca Quinn; 28-Sammy Jo Prudhomme

Stats Summary: WAS / RGN

Shots: 12 / 14

Shots on Target: 4 / 7

Saves: 5 / 2

Blocked Shots: 2 / 2

Fouls: 6 / 10

Offside: 1 / 3

Misconduct Summary:

RGN - Kristen McNabb 90+7' - Yellow Card

Officials:

Referee: Jon Freemon

Assistant Referee 1: Kali Smith

Assistant Referee 2: Rachel Smith

Fourth Official: Nickrod Fateh

Check out the Washington Spirit Statistics

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