Ashley Hatch watched a Trinity Rodman shot deflect off the gloves of the opposing goalkeeper and roll right into her path, just inches from the goal. Hatch stuck out her foot in hopes of giving the Washington Spirit an early lead, but instead the ball was tipped up and out of play.
That’s just how it went for Washington on a scorching Sunday at Audi Field. The Spirit ceded two goals to the Chicago Red Stars early in the second half and lost, 2-0, despite heavily outshooting its opponent.
Chicago’s Bianca St-Georges headed in a cross in the 48th minute, then Yuki Nagasato scored in transition in the 60th to leave Washington in a two-goal hole that was too deep to claw out of.