Washington Spirit Defeat Orlando Pride in First Match Between the Two Clubs
Washington Spirit topped Orlando Pride 2-1 in the first ever meeting between the two clubs on Saturday night at Maryland SoccerPlex. Washington Spirit’s two goals in the first half were enough to edge out Orlando Pride. Now, the Spirit prepare to host Sky Blue FC in week 10 of the 2016 NWSL season – a women’s soccer season which has been absolutely fabulous so far.
Soccer News: The Washington Spirit (5-1-2, 17 points) defeated the Orlando Pride (4-5-0, 12 points) 2-0 at home in the first ever meeting of the two teams. A composed finish from Argentinian forward Estefania Banini in the ninth minute and an unassisted goal by Nigerian forward Francisca Ordega in the 40th minute earned the Spirit the three points over the Pride. The energy and spirit of the players and the sold out crowd of 5,750 was palpable as the match was played for a greater purpose. The contest was in honor of the victims in Orlando, thus making the match an emotional one.
The first goal of the match came in the ninth minute when defender Alyssa Kleiner chased a ball down to the endline, reaching it in time to send a cross into the box. Banini took a controlled first touch and slipped a shot into the right corner past Pride goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris.
The Pride had a chance soon after in the 11th minute when Spirit defender Shelina Zadorsky fouled Alex Morgan just outside of the box. Pride defender Steph Catley drilled the free kick, but it curled just wide of the left post.
In the 34th minute the Spirit almost earned its second goal of the night when midfielder Christine Nairn took a shot from the top of the box. Harris made the initial save but could not control the rebound. With Harris off her line, Ordega took a shot on the open net, but Pride defender Catley was able to clear the shot just in time earning the Spirit a corner kick.
The Spirit doubled its lead in the 40th minute when Ordega scored her first goal of the season. The Nigerian forward won a tackle in the midfield, beat two Pride defenders, and placed a shot in the bottom right corner past Harris.
In stoppage time of the first half, Morgan had a one-on-one opportunity against Spirit goalkeeper Stephanie Labbé. Morgan sent a shot toward the right side, but Labbé made a diving save to push the shot off the post and back into play. Morgan collected the deflection, but her second shot was off target.
In the second half, both teams saw opportunities to score, but all efforts proved futile. The Washington Spirit will play its next home game next Saturday, June 25th against Sky Blue FC.
Source: Washington Spirit. Photo Credit: Tony Quinn/ISI Photos
