Defending NWSL champion Washington Spirit opened its 2022 season Sunday with a thrilling 2-1 victory over OL Reign at Audi Field.
The attacking trifecta of Ashley Hatch, Trinity Rodman and Ashley Sanchez picked up right where it left off last campaign, but the Spirit had goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury to thank early.
In the ninth-minute, the Reign were awarded a penalty that Rose Lavelle couldn't convert.
Huge Save by @AubreyBledsoe@WashSpirit | #OneSpirit pic.twitter.com/LYHl12fAg5
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) May 1, 2022
Five minutes later, the Spirit forced a turnover in the Reign's third and Anna Heilferty set up Sanchez for the beautiful finish from 20 yards out.
Ashley Sanchez from distance @WashSpirit | #OneSpirit pic.twitter.com/QkimEmoWLI
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) May 1, 2022
Phallon Tullis-Joyce kept the score at 1-0 with a string of exceptional saves for the Reign, and that allowed Lavelle to make amends for her penalty miss in the 53rd-minute after Kingsbury spilled a cross into her path.
ROSE LAVELLE
We're all tied up pic.twitter.com/wLftAfJkNa— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) May 1, 2022
But the Spirit regained the advantage in the 66th-minute with a beautifully direct goal. Center back Sam Staab raked one out wide to Rodman, and the 19-year-old took one touch before clipping a perfect cross for Hatch to attack.
TRINITY RODMAN ➡️ ASHLEY HATCH
The Spirit regain the lead pic.twitter.com/mH2t6LOyAC— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) May 1, 2022
After the game, the Spirit players were presented with their rings for winning last season's title.
Washington Spirit owner Michele Kang presents the team with their 2021 #NWSL Championship rings pic.twitter.com/tJecz5rQxo
— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) May 1, 2022
The two sides do this all over again on Wednesday in the semifinals of the Challenge Cup.
