NWSL’s Spirit and Pride Come Together to Honor the Victims of Last Weekend’s Tragedy in Orlando
Women’s Soccer News: The Washington Spirit (5-1-2, 17 points) defeated the Orlando Pride (4-5-0, 12 points) 2-0 at home in the first ever meeting of the two teams.
A composed finish from Argentinian forward Estefania Banini in the ninth minute and an unassisted goal by Nigerian forward Francisca Ordega in the 40th minute earned the Spirit the three points over the Pride. The energy and spirit of the players and the sold out crowd of 5,750 was palpable as the match was played for a greater purpose. The contest was in honor of the victims in Orlando, thus making the match an emotional one.
The first goal of the match came in the ninth minute when defender Alyssa Kleiner chased a ball down to the endline, reaching it in time to send a cross into the box. Banini took a controlled first touch and slipped a shot into the right corner past Pride goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris.
The Pride had a chance soon after in the 11th minute when Spirit defender Shelina Zadorsky fouled Alex Morgan just outside of the box. Pride defender Steph Catley drilled the free kick, but it curled just wide of the left post.
In the 34th minute the Spirit almost earned its second goal of the night when midfielder Christine Nairn took a shot from the top of the box. Harris made the initial save but could not control the rebound. With Harris off her line, Ordega took a shot on the open net, but Pride defender Catley was able to clear the shot just in time earning the Spirit a corner kick.
The Spirit doubled its lead in the 40th minute when Ordega scored her first goal of the season. The Nigerian forward won a tackle in the midfield, beat two Pride defenders, and placed a shot in the bottom right corner past Harris.
In stoppage time of the first half, Alex Morgan had a one-on-one opportunity against Spirit goalkeeper Stephanie Labbé. Morgan sent a shot toward the right side, but Labbé made a diving save to push the shot off the post and back into play. Morgan collected the deflection, but her second shot was off target.
In the second half, both teams saw opportunities to score, but all efforts proved futile.
The Washington Spirit will play its next home game next Saturday, June 25th against Sky Blue FC. Sky Blue is the Spirit’s regional match up, so they will meet four times this season.
NWSL Match Report
Match: Washington Spirit vs. Orlando Pride
Date: June 18, 2016
Venue:Maryland SoccerPlex, Maryland
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. ET
Attendance:5,750
Weather: 80, sunny
Washington Spirit Lineup: 1- Stephanie Labbé; 22- Alyssa Kleiner, 6- Shelina Zadorsky, 4 – Megan Oyster, 11-Ali Krieger; 8-Diana Matheson, 23- Tori Huster, 7-Christine Nairn (15- Joanna Lohman 70′); 10- Estefania Banini (12- Katie Stengel 85′) , 14- Francisca Ordega (20- Cheyna Williams 63′), 19-Crystal Dunn
Subs not used: 24-Estelle Johnson, 3-Caprice Dydasco, 18- Kelsey Wys, 5- Whitney Church
Head Coach: Jim Gabarra
Orlando Pride Lineup: 1- Ashlyn Harris; 7-Steph Catley, 3- Toni Pressley, 5- Laura Alleway (6- Kaylyn Kyle 40′), 9- Josée Bélanger (8- Sarah Hagen 65′); 12- Kristen Edmonds, 18- Maddy Evans, 21- Monica Hicmann Alves ; 23- Jasmyne Spencer (4- Jamia Fields 78′), 13-Alex Morgan, 26- Samantha Witteman
Subs not used: 14- Becky Edwards, 17- Dani Weatherholt, 11- Christina Burkenroad, 22- Megan Dorsey
Head Coach: Tom Sermanni
Stats Summary: WAS/ORL
Shots: 11 / 6
Shots on Goal: 7 / 3
Saves: 3 / 5
Corner Kicks: 6 / 3
Fouls: 9 / 6
Offside: 4/ 3
Officials:
Referee: Christopher Spivey
Assistant Referee 1: Benjamin Wooten
Assistant Referee 2: Jeffrey Skinker
4th Official: Ben Pilgrim
Stats Summary: WAS/ORL
Shots: 11 / 6
Shots on Goal: 7 / 3
Saves: 3 / 5
Corner Kicks: 6 / 3
Fouls: 9 / 6
Offside: 4/ 3
Officials:
Referee: Christopher Spivey
Assistant Referee 1: Benjamin Wooten
Assistant Referee 2: Jeffrey Skinker
4th Official: Ben Pilgrim
Source: Washington Spirit
