Aubrey Kingsbury saved all three shots she faced in the penalty-kick shootout as the Washington Spirit defeated visiting NJ/NY Gotham FC on Saturday afternoon to advance to the NWSL championship game.
Ashley Hatch, Lena Silano and Tara McKeown scored shootout goals for Washington in the marathon semifinal match after the teams played to a 1-1 tie through 120 minutes plus stoppage time.
Prior to the shootout, Esther Gonzalez scored in the 56th minute for Gotham. The goal held up until Washington's Hal Hershfelt scored on a header to knot the score in the third minute of second-half stoppage time.
Hal Hershfelt goal vs Gotham FC
Right place, right time.
Rookie Hal Hershfelt delivers a laaaaaate equalizer for the Spirit! #NWSLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/8EqYnN4Mr0— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) November 16, 2024
Sending Audi Field into a frenzy!#TeamPixel | @MadeByGoogle pic.twitter.com/bvV6jHZnCW
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) November 16, 2024
The second-seeded Spirit will face either the Orlando Pride or Kansas City Current in the title match. Those squads meet Sunday.
Third-seeded Gotham was the defending NWSL champion.
Gotham goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger had nine saves prior to the shootout while Kingsbury stopped four.
Hatch began the shootout by sending a right-footed shot into the top right corner of the net. Kingsbury then easily saved Gonzalez's right-footed attempt.
Silano was up next and sent a right-footer into the wide-open right portion of the net. Gotham's McCall Zerboni's right-footer was then stopped by Kingsbury.
McKeown then sent a right-footed grounder into the lower left corner for Washington's third shootout tally.
Gotham then faced do-or-die and Jenna Nighswonger's left-footer was gobbled up by Kingsbury to end it.
Aubrey Kingsbury saves in shootout
Watch all the penalties
Aubrey Kingsbury put on a clinic to help @WashSpirit secure their #NWSLChampionship spot! pic.twitter.com/t4QBkhLhnL— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) November 16, 2024
Earlier, Gotham took a 1-0 lead in the 56th minute as Yazmeen Ryan delivered a left-footed cross toward the center of the box. Gonzalez then sent a header toward the right corner that trickled into the net.
Esther is built for big moments!! #NWSLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/4zLvJAuvfy
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) November 16, 2024
Things looked bleak for the Spirit as the seven minutes of second-half stoppage time began. But Nighswonger was called for a yellow card for a rough foul to give Washington a free kick.
Makenna Morris took the kick and delivered a solid pass toward the center of the box and Hershfelt rose to head the ball into the left corner of the net to tie it.
Gotham played with just 10 players for the last 19 minutes of extra time after Bruninha knocked down Trinity Rodman at the sideline. Bruninha was given her second yellow card of the game with the automatic elevation to red.
Three minutes later, Rodman set up Hatch for an opportunity in front of the net but Hatch's left-footed shot was saved by Berger.
Gonzalez had a huge chance in the 24th minute of extra time but her header off a corner kick was knocked away by Kingsbury.
The NSWL title match is Nov. 23 in Kansas City.
AUDI IS TOO ROWDY AFTER THAT WIN #TeamPixel | @MadeByGoogle pic.twitter.com/uaVN7TWOft
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) November 16, 2024
--Field Level Media
