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NWSL Washington Spirit

Washington Spirit Falls to Portland Thorns on the Road

May 21, 2016 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Washington Spirit News Release


PORTLAND, Ore - The Washington Spirit (4-1-1, 13 points) faced its first loss of the season on the road against the Portland Thorns (3-0-3, 12 points). Unlike the last meeting between the two teams in early May that ended in a scoreless draw, tonight's game ended with 4-1 in favor of the Thorns. Joanna Lohman's header in the 55th minute was the sole Spirit goal, while the Thorns four goals came from Meg Morris, Lindsey Horan, Tobin Heath, and an own goal. [PHOTO] (Mandatory Photo Credit Craig Mitchelldyer/ISI Photos)

The first goal for the Thorns came in the 27th minute when Thorns captain and midfielder Heath set up for a corner kick. She sent the ball to the head of Lindsey Horan in the penalty box. Less than five minutes later the Thorns doubled its advantage when Spirit goalkeeper Stephanie Labbé's attempted clearance deflected off Spirit defender Alyssa Kleiner and back into the Spirit goal.

In the last seconds of first half stoppage time, Heath earned the Thorns its third goal of the match to leave them with a 3-0 lead. Heath received a ball at her feet from Christine Sinclair and chipped Labbé, who came off of her line to block the ball. Heath chased down her own chipped ball and tapped it into the net.

In the 55th minute, the Spirit finally tallied a goal when Spirit forward Crystal Dunn sent a beautiful cross into the box after battling Klingenberg on the right side. Joanna Lohman maneuvered away from her defender and headed Dunn's cross beyond Adrianna Franch and into the back of the net.

In the 78th minute, a miscommunication in the Spirit's midfield allowed Thorns midfielder Morris to capitalize on a misplayed pass just outside the Spirit penalty box. Morris pounced on the errant ball, drove forward and placed a well struck shot beyond the outstretched arms of Labbé to score the Thorn's final goal of the match.

The Spirit will play its next two games on the road with rematches against the Houston Dash and Boston Breakers. The next home game for the Spirit will be against the Orlando Pride on June 18th at 7 p.m. at Maureen Hendricks Field.

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