{"id":13849,"date":"2018-04-02T12:51:11","date_gmt":"2018-04-02T16:51:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonsoccer.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=13849"},"modified":"2018-04-06T01:54:44","modified_gmt":"2018-04-06T05:54:44","slug":"ashley-hatch-pivotal-spirit-win-pride","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/2018\/04\/02\/ashley-hatch-pivotal-spirit-win-pride\/","title":{"rendered":"Ashley Hatch Pivotal in Washington Spirit’s Surprise Win Over Orlando Pride"},"content":{"rendered":"

BOYDS, MARYLAND (March 31, 2018)<\/strong> — Ashley Hatch took some notes from Megan Rapinoe’s play last weekend.<\/p>\n

After starting off the season with a loss against the Seattle Reign FC, Hatch and the Washington Spirit hosted the Orlando Pride Saturday. A week ago<\/a>, in Seattle, Rapinoe scored a goal and provided an assist.<\/p>\n

The match earned Rapinoe NWSL Player of the Week honors.<\/p>\n

This week, Hatch assisted Mallory Pugh’s 80th-minute goal and scored an unassisted goal eight minutes later.<\/p>\n

Ashley Hatch Pivotal in Washington Spirit’s Surprise Win Over Orlando Pride<\/strong><\/h1>\n

The goals came after Washington was forced to play a defensive first half. Sydney Leroux, Chioma Ubogagu, and Rachel Hill pressured the Spirit defense.<\/p>\n

However, in the second half, Washington’s front three of Francisca Ordega, Hatch and Pugh began to find a rhythm together.<\/p>\n

Both sides finished the match with 14 shots. However, Orlando had four on goal while Washington found three hitting the frame.<\/p>\n

Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe — who featured for Orlando last season — earned her first shutout with the Spirit.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Ashlyn Harris made one save.<\/p>\n

Three Takeaways<\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. Hatch is the star of the show:<\/strong> Ashley Hatch won the 2017 NWSL Rookie of the Year award over Pugh, Rose Lavelle, and Houston Dash goalkeeper Jane Campbell. Hatch might not have a big name like the other three, but her consistent play has carried over from North Carolina to Washington.<\/li>\n
  2. Tori Huster hits 100 appearances:<\/strong> Despite hitting 100 NWSL regular-season appearances, Tori Huster did not see any playing time against Orlando. Huster has featured 100 times for Washington throughout her entire NWSL career, beginning in 2013.<\/li>\n
  3. Joanna Lohman is a model teammate:<\/strong> After the match, Lohman was asked about her role on the team. Instead of bragging about being the veteran of a young squad, Lohman stated that she just wants to be a player that “allows other players to be better.”<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    \n

    .@jgordon1987<\/a> asked @JoannaLohman about what she thought her role was on this @WashSpirit<\/a> team. What a classy response. Props to Jo. pic.twitter.com\/NlEqvLTd1v<\/a><\/p>\n

    — Jordan Small (@jols98) March 31, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n