Thanks to a Hatch Brace the Spirit gets first home win of the season against Bay FC
- Mario Amaya
- Mar 29
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 30
After losing their home opener last weekend, the Washington Spirit were looking to get back on the right foot and win their first home game of the season against a difficult opponent in Bay FC Friday night.
In front of more than 12,140 in attendance in the friendly confines of Audi Field. The Spirit held on to take all three points against the Northern California outfit by a final score of 2-0.
"We were far superior in the first half and inferior in the second half." said Spirit head coach Jonatan Giráldez "I think what we proposed in the first half gave us a lot of confidence with the ball, we tried to change something so we could balance the match a bit. I think we achieved that in that sense, but obviously we have to recognize that the opponent was better in the second half."
The Return of Trinity to the starting XI
One of the biggest surprises the Spirit in its lineup was the return of Trinity Rodman who was starting a game for the Spirit for the first time this season.
“I felt good,” Rodman said. “I’m happy with the way that I’ve integrated back in, and hopefully as time keeps going, I’ll be back up to 90 [minutes] and be able to have the whole game to settle in and make my mark.”
Rodman played the majority of the match being subbed off for Brittany Ratcliffe in the 75th minute. This capped off a good week for Rodman who was called up for the US Women's National Team, who play Brazil in the upcoming FIFA date in California.
The Game
The Spirit would have the first big opportunity of the game, when a Narumi Miura free kick would find Ashley Hatch inside the box. The Spirit striker got her head to it, but her attempt went left of the goal guarded by Jordan Silkowitz, but Hatch would soon find the back of the net.
In the 24th minute. Casey Kruger laid the ball off to Leicy Santos, who sent a piercing cross into the box finding Hatch who headed the ball past Silkowitz, to score her second goal of the season. With this goal, Hatch also jumped ahead of Jessica McDonald in 5th place of the all-time NWSL leading goal scorers list with 55 goals.
“I think it gives me a lot of confidence going into that environment,” Hatch said. “I’m super honored for the opportunity, and I think anytime I can get in the box and score goals, I can prove that I’m a good player. So hopefully that helps. But I know that it matters what you do in camp, so just trying to stay focused on that as well.”
Hatch would get her brace four minutes later. After a foul outside the box, Miura sent her free kick into the box and in the direction of Hatch who was near the penalty spot. Hatch’s header went past the Bay FC net minder to get her second goal of the match. The brace also meant her 56th goal in all NWSL play.
Bay FC thought they had pulled one back in the 60th minute thanks to a Taylor Huff shot from distance. However, the referee would go to VAR and ultimately disallow the goal, because of a foul committed by forward Rachel Kundanjani on Esme Morgan in the buildup to the goal.
Bay FC would continue to test the Spirit's defense, however their goalscoring opportunities, but those opportunities never materialized. Bay would have one last chance to score late in the game after a Caprice Dydasco cross found an incoming Karlie Lema inside the box, but her shot was stopped by Aubrey Kingsbury and sent out for a corner kick.
“That one hurt not just for us but for the fans. We didn’t score a goal, and we know we have a responsibility to give our best and get them to come back,” said Kingsbury “Hopefully we can keep building off of this and be a bit more dangerous on the attacking end.”
With this result Washington moves up to third place in the NWSL standings with six points, while Bay FC stay in sixth place with four points.
The Spirit now have a two week break during the international and won't step back into action until April 12th when they travel to the city of Louisville, KY when they face Racing Louisville. Kickoff is scheduled for 5pm.
Spirit signs a new player
On Tuesday the team announced the singing of Nigerian Forward Gift Monday from Spanish Liga F side UD Tenerife.
“I am excited to join the Washington Spirit family as I have long wanted to play for the club,” said Monday. “I can’t wait to start living the dream with the Spirit!”
Monday signed a three-year contract with the Spirit for an undisclosed fee. The Nigerian international played 65 matches for Tenerife scoring 26 goals for the Spanish side. She debuted for Nigeria in 2019 and was a member of the Nigerian national team in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Krikorian stepping down
Earlier in the week the Spirit announced this week that President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Mark Krikorian would be stepping down after his contract expires next February.
“From the beginning, Mark helped build a culture of excellence and success,” said club Owner Michele Kang. “His vision and execution have been integral in making the Washington Spirit one of the league’s top teams. On behalf of the club, I want to thank him for his leadership and wish him and Linda the very best.”
Krikorian has been in his position since 2022, where he constructed a team that made it to the NWSL finals last season and achieved a club-record 19 wins in his tenureship as General Manager.
“When I came here in the spring of 2022, I wanted to help establish the Spirit as a perennial contender in the NWSL and one of the best clubs in the world,” said Krikorian “I would like to offer my sincerest thanks to Michele for this opportunity, as well as the players and the entire Spirit organization and fanbase for an incredible three years.”
Prior to taking the role as President of Soccer Operations and General Manager of the Spirit, Krikorian coached Florida State’s Women’s Soccer Team, where he led the Seminoles to eight ACC titles. He also coached the Philadelphia Charge Women’s United Soccer League from 2000 to 2003, winning WUSA coach of the year in 2002.
