Washington Spirit women’s soccer drew Angel City FC 1-1 Sunday night, Aug. 16, at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif. Trinity Rodman scored Washington’s lone goal in the 65th minute, but Ally Sentnor equalized in the 85th minute to give each team a point.
Rodman’s goal was her 10th of the season and came with an assist from Tara Rudd. Rudd found Rodman with a pass into the final third, and Rodman drove into the box before firing over Angel City goalkeeper Angelina Anderson and into the top netting.
Washington Spirit Controls Possession After Halftime
Angel City FC opened the match with four shots during the first 15 minutes from Prisca Chilufya, Claire Emslie and Sentnor. Washington Spirit responded by maintaining 71 percent possession during the next portion of the first half and creating four shots of its own.
Rodman hit the post in the 24th minute, and Hal Hershfelt forced a save from Anderson five minutes later. Angel City appeared to take the lead through Sentnor late in the half, but a VAR review overturned the goal because of a handball in the buildup.
Esme Morgan entered at halftime for Gabrielle Carle. Washington Spirit maintained 78 percent possession during the opening 15 minutes of the second half before Rudd and Rodman each recorded attempts in the box.
Ally Sentnor Equalizes for Angel City FC
Sentnor brought Angel City FC level in the 85th minute with an outside-the-box strike that found the top-right corner. Savy King assisted on the play, which marked Sentnor’s first goal with Angel City FC.
Washington Spirit searched for a late winner. Rudd put a close-range shot on target during the first minute of stoppage time, but Anderson made the save. Late in stoppage time, Rodman sent a cross to Ashley Hatch in the box, but Hatch’s shot went wide.
Washington Spirit finished with 16 shots and three shots on goal, while Angel City FC recorded 17 shots and three shots on goal. The draw moved Washington back into second place on the table.
Ashley Hatch Returns for Washington Spirit
Hatch entered in the 83rd minute for Andi Sullivan, making her first appearance in nearly 15 months after returning from maternity leave. Hatch is Washington Spirit’s all-time leading scorer with 59 regular-season goals.
Washington Spirit also made second-half substitutions that included Madison Haugen for Kate Wiesner and Claudia Martínez and Paige Metayer for Sofia Cantore and Tamara Bolt.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
Washington Spirit secured a road point after Rodman’s 10th goal put the team ahead and Sentnor’s late equalizer leveled the match. Hatch’s return from maternity leave provided another significant development for Washington.
Washington Spirit will host Orlando Pride in the Love is Loud: Pride match at 4 p.m. EDT Sunday, Aug. 23. The match will air on ESPN2.
Source: Original report
