**WASHINGTON, D.C.** – The Washington Spirit rescued a point at home on Sunday night after Portland forward Morgan Weaver’s goal in the 64 ^th minute tipped the visitors for a win until Spirit attacker Ashley Hatch found an equalizer in the second minute of stoppage time to deliver a result late on.
Washington had the game’s first chance in the 6 ^th minute after back-to-back cross field balls then saw a cross into the middle of the area for forward Trinity Rodman from teammate Ouleymata Sarr, but her headed effort was tame enough for Portland goalkeeper Bella Bixby to collect. Two minutes later, a similar ball into the box for forward Ashley Hatch saw the attacker send her effort just wide to the left of the goal as the chance went missing.
Those early opportunities were as good as the first half action got with neither team able to prod the other to the point of finding a first goal, but the second half brought plenty of opportunity with it beginning with Portland’s goal just after the hour mark through attacker Morgan Weaver.
The visitors were moving forward through Olivia Moultrie outside the penalty area, who fed it horizontally to teammate Sam Coffey. Picking her head up, Coffey then spotted the run of Weaver into the box and played her through. From there, Weaver was able to poke a running effort over Washington goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury and into the back of the net as Portland created something out of nothing to establish a second half lead.
However, approaching the end of regulation time, the tide turned back in the hosts’ favor as Portland’s Emily Menges was judged to have illegally handled the ball in the box, resulting in a penalty decision for Washington. After VAR review, the decision stood and up stepped Hatch to the spot. In the second minute of nine minutes of stoppage time, Hatch sent Bixby the wrong way and Washington found a late equalizer with almost no opportunity for Portland to respond.
In the end, Washington would see out the match and earn a valuable point as the side chases a Playoff position approaching the end of the regular season. The result leaves Portland still in first place with 29 points from 17 games played, while Washington are in 5 ^th place with 26 points from 17 games played.

Match Highlights

Match Highlights