The Washington Spirit had to fight back twice in their first meeting with the Utah Royals this season to get a last minute equalizer and keep pace with the other leading teams in the standings. In front of over 15,000 fans, the Spirit went down early on a Brecken Mozingo goal in the 9th minute. The Spirit, who had the majority of possession and shots in the game, then continued to press for a goal. They were reward on a long curling shot by Ashley Hatch in the 17th minute. Three minutes later, injury replacement player Meg Boade made her first professional goal to put the home side up 2-1.
That lead would not last long as Royals forward Cece Kizer was able to equalize. The Spirit then went down when a ball went off defender Rebeca Bernal to give the visitors an own goal and the lead.
The second half was primarily led by the Spirit, who were pushing for the tie. They had a great chance when defender Casey Krueger drew a penalty in the 90th minute, but Ashley Hatch, who was a perfect 11-11 in regular season penalty kicks for her NWSL career, was unable to make it a dozen as Royals keeper Mandy McGlynn was able to block the shot. However, at the tail end of 13 minutes of stoppage, Krueger was able to get a head on a Tara McKeown cross and tie the game.
The Spirit are now equal on points with Orlando and Portland (Portland has played one more game) and sit in fifth place once tie breakers are applied. They are five points behind league leaders KC Current and one behind second place San Diego Wave. The Royals are in second to last place, only 1 point ahead of Chicago.
