Originally published May 27, 2014
Christine Nairn’s golazo from 30 yards lifted the Spirit to a last minute home victory 3-2 over the Dash.
Thanks to Nairn’s wonder strike in stoppage time, the Washington Spirit managed to close out their three game home stand having earned seven of nine possible points. Earning those points was crucial for the Spirit as they play eight of their next 10 games on the road.
For the first time this season, Washington maintained a majority of the possession throughout the game and the majority of chances including 17 shots.
However, it was defensive pressure from forward Jodie Taylor that created the Spirit’s first goal. Taylor bore down on Dash keeper Erin McLeod, which forced her to make a rushed and, ultimately, unsuccessful clearance. McLeod delivered the ball directly to the feet of her Canadian national team colleague midfielder Diana Matheson. Matheson sent the ball directly back at McLeod and into the back of the net in the 4th minute.
Just eight minutes later, the Dash equalized after Kaylyn Kyle’s cross found Nina Burger unmarked and directly in front of the Washington goal. The goal was Burger’s first of the season for the Dash.
The Spirit regained the lead in the 38th minute when forward Jodie Taylor snuck in behind the Dash backline and received a perfectly placed ball. Taylor settled and clinically converted her shot.
In the 77th minute, the Dash drew level with the Spirit for a second time. Former Washington player Stephanie Ochs served a bending ball into the box from the corner and Osinachi Ohale rose above several defenders to head the ball past Harris.
The game looked like it was headed for a draw until McLeod came off her line and fouled Taylor in the box. Matheson, penalty kick extraordinaire, stepped up to face McLeod with a huge grin on her face. That smile quickly disappeared as her poor strike was saved by McLeod.
As the game headed into stoppage time, the Spirit continued their frenzied attack on the Dash goal. The breakthrough came in the 90th minute from the left boot of Christine Nairn who launched a rocket from 30 yards out, which sailed over the outstretched arms of McLeod and into the upper corner of the goal.
With this loss, the Dash’s struggles continue. For some members of the team, their season may feel a bit like deja vu. Tiffany McCarty, Stephanie Ochs, and Kika Toulouse each experienced similar hardship last season when they played for the Spirit.
“It was heartbreaking,” explained Dash captain Erin McLeod. “It is coming down to the wire a lot for us. We are a new team, a young team. We are making a lot of mistakes early in the game and it is hurting us.”
The poor start for the Dash is certainly something new for their manager Randy Waldrum. “I think the hardest thing is for Randy because he came from such a prestigious program,” said Ella Masar. “He is doing everything he can. He is the best coach I have had professionally.”
Houston falls to 1-7-1 (4 points) and will face a hungry Western New York team on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Spirit climb to fifth on the table (4-4-1; 13 points) and will play the Breakers in Boston on Sunday.