close
close

Association-anemone

Bite-sized brilliance in every update

The Washington Spirit won 2-1 in overtime against Bay FC in the first round of the NWSL playoffs
asane

The Washington Spirit won 2-1 in overtime against Bay FC in the first round of the NWSL playoffs

WASHINGTON (AP) — Trinity Rodman forced an own goal in overtime to help the Washington Spirit come from behind to earn a 2-1 victory over Bay FC in the opening round of the National Women’s Soccer League playoffs on Sunday.

After a defensive struggle for most of the game, Bay FC’s Asisat Oshoala got on the end of Penelope Hocking’s cross in the 82nd minute, silencing the 19,215 crowd at Audi Field.

The game started when Alyssa Malonson whipped in a cross from the left that trickled to an unmarked Hocking at the far post. The substitute sent the ball back over the bar for Oshoala to finish with her first touch.

Tara McKeown equalized three minutes later. The centre-back, who converted from a striker last season, picked off a Bay clearance, dribbled forward and finished into the bottom left corner with a shot from the top of the 18-yard box.

It is second time in league history that both the goal and the equalizer were scored after the 80th minute.

While Rodman was held scoreless in the game, her cross forced the go-ahead goal six minutes into overtime. Bay FC defender Caprice Dydasco saw the ball late and misdirected it into the goal to give the Spirit the lead.

Both teams held firm defensively in the first half, with Bay holding a slight edge in shots (7-5) through the first 45 minutes against a Spirit squad that scored 51 goals in the regular season.

The game broke open after the first goal and the Spirit finished with 21 shots. Bay goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland made five saves.

The Spirit (18-6-2) were hit by injuries to several key players this season, but still finished in second place. Rookie Croix Bethune, who led the league with 10 assists, tore his meniscus in August. Andi Sullivan tore his ACL in October and joint top scorer Ouleymata Sarr has been sidelined since September with a back injury.

Expansion Bay FC (11-14-1) made a late surge and qualified for the playoffs in the final game of the regular season.

The Spirit will host either the Portland Thorns or Gotham FC in an NWSL semifinal game next weekend.

___

AP Football: