**Harrison, New Jersey** – NJ/NY Gotham FC collected their second consecutive victory after a slender 1-0 win over the Washington Spirit at home thanks to a first half strike from forward Margaret Purce.
The hosts Gotham took just three minutes to create a quality opportunity when forward Margaret Purce nearly headed them in front. Working the ball out wide, midfielders Paige Monaghan and Kristie Mewis combined with Mewis clipping a ball in toward the center of the box where Purce was waiting. Leaping in front of the defender, Purce was able to get a lot of power behind her headed effort but could not direct the ball on frame as the chance went missing.
Not dismayed though, Purce would end up opening the scoring for Gotham FC in the 21 ^st minute as she converted on a breakaway to help the hosts go one-up. Streaking down the left side of the field, forward Ifeoma Onumonu received the ball and bolted toward the penalty area. Spotting the forward run of Purce, Onumonu slid the ball with just enough weight on it to pass Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury and fall to the feet of her teammate. Close in, Purce was able to bundle the ball over the line despite a late attempt at a goalline clearance and the hosts took the lead midway through the first half.
The best chance of the first half for the visiting Spirit came right at the stroke of halftime, when forward Ashley Hatch was denied from close range by Gotham goalkeeper Michelle Betos. Streaking ahead, Hatch barreled into the penalty area into a 1v1 with Betos. Attempting to power the ball to the far post with her left foot, Hatch did well to hit the ball with power, but Betos was there to parry the effort to her left. Up on her feet quickly, Betos then dove on top of the ball ahead of the onrushing midfielder Bayley Feist to end the chance entirely.
At the break, Gotham held onto their one goal advantage.
Into the second half, Betos again made an incredible save to deny Washington an equalizer through Taylor Aylmer in the 53 ^rd minute. As a driven cross made its way into the box, Aylmer rose to meet it and produced a strong header back on goal that forced Betos to make a diving save. Getting down to her left in time, the goalkeeper was just barely able to keep the effort out.
In the 89 ^th minute, Purce nearly doubled her personal tally on the night and Gotham’s lead all in one as she cut in on the right side and floated a curling shot toward the upper far corner, but the ball was pushed over the top by the fingertips of Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury as the visitors aimed to keep a point within reach.
However, though Washington was competitive throughout, their efforts ultimately fell short as Gotham kept all three points at home thanks to Margaret Purce’s first half strike. The win is Gotham’s second in as many games after defeating Angel City earlier this week, while the Spirit are now winless in their last six games.

Match Highlights

Match Highlights