Hatch leads Spirit to 3-0 victory over Dash in NWSL
- Ashley Hatch scored two goals for the Washington Spirit, including a penalty kick and a goal from a cross.
- Trinity Rodman added a third goal early in the second half, celebrating with a playful imitation of Stephen Curry.
- The Spirit's victory secures their playoff spot, while the Dash remains winless in their last nine matches.
On Sunday, the Washington Spirit secured a decisive 3-0 victory over the Houston Dash at Audi Field in the National Women’s Soccer League. Ashley Hatch was the standout player, scoring two goals in the first half. The first came from a penalty kick in the 7th minute after a handball in the box, followed by a second goal in the 26th minute, finishing a cross from Trinity Rodman. Hatch's performance marked her 50th career goal in the league since her debut in 2019. Trinity Rodman contributed to the Spirit's success by scoring the third goal just as the second half commenced. She skillfully maneuvered past multiple defenders before finding the upper right corner of the net from outside the 18-yard box. Following her goal, Rodman celebrated by mimicking Stephen Curry’s “Night night” gesture, adding a playful touch to the match. The Spirit's victory solidified their position in the league, as they remain undefeated in their last five regular-season matches and have already clinched a playoff spot with six games left in the season. In contrast, the Houston Dash struggled, sitting at the bottom of the league standings and extending their winless streak to nine matches. This match highlighted the Spirit's strong performance and potential heading into the playoffs, while the Dash will need to regroup and find a way to turn their season around as they face increasing pressure in the league.