The Washington Spirit had to come from behind for the second week in a row in order to continue their journey to the league championship game, although this time around they needed not only extra time, but a penalty shootout to advance. In front of another sellout crowd, this time of 19,365 incredibly loud fans, they fought hard against a Gotham team that had been surging later in the season and had ended up tied with the Spirit on points and only one place behind in the standings thanks to a small goal differential tiebreaker.
The first half saw both teams have spells of possession and a few chances, the most dangerous being a one-on-one between Aubrey Kingsbury and Gotham forward Esther, which Kingsbury was able to save with a foot out near the penalty spot. Other than that, both teams had a few other chances, none of which went in, and so the teams went in at halftime tied at zero.
The second half, however, saw Gotham first take the lead in the 56th minute off of a cross by Yazmeen Ryan. Esther was able to loop a header just inside the post and Kingsbury was unable to get there in time.
The Spirit continued to fight under the physical onslaught of Gotham, who ended the game with seven yellow cards. But it wasn’t until stoppage time that the Spirit were able to tie the game. A free kick by Makenna Morris found midfielder Hal Hershfelt’s head in front of goal and regular time ended tied at 1-1.
No goals were scored in the two period of extra time, although Gotham defender Bruninha was given a second yellow and sent off in the 101st minute. With the game still tied after the thirty minutes of extra time, the game went to a penalty shootout, which took place in front of the Spirit supporters section.
The Spirit went first, with penalty stalwart Ashley Hatch converting to put the Spirit up 1-0. Kingsbury then faced Esther and was able to easily save it. Second half substitute Lena Silano sent Gotham goalkeeper Ann-Kathrin Berger the wrong way and the Spirit were then up 2-0. Kingsbury was then able to save another penalty, this one by Gotham substitute McCall Zerboni. Defender Tara McKeown then took the third penalty for the Spirit and was able to get it just inside the post. Finally, Gotham midfielder Jenna Nighswonger put her shot in exactly the same place as both of Gotham’s previous attempts and Kingsbury was not surprised as she again easily saved it, giving the Spirit the 3-0 penalty shootout win and advancing them to the finals.
