Portland downs Dash 4
Rookie Croix Bethune was involved in both goals as the Washington Spirit defeated Gotham 2-0 on Saturday afternoon in the National Women’s Soccer League.
Playing in front of 15,004 fans at Audi Field, the Spirit pressured Gotham in the first half and found their breakthrough in the 41st minute.
Bethune dribbled to her left to create a little space and struck from distance, whipping a shot into the lower left corner. The third pick in this year’s NWSL Draft now has three goals in her first five NWSL matches.
Bethune earned a penalty kick in the 68th minute when her shot deflected off a Gotham defender’s outstretched arm. Ashley Hatch, the club’s all-time leading goal scorer, buried the penalty into the right corner — scoring her 40th goal for the Spirit. It was the 10th straight penalty that Hatch converted.
After losing their season opener, the Spirit (4-1-0) have won four straight games.