**WASHINGTON, D.C.** – The Washington Spirit and Racing Louisville FC split the points on Saturday night at Audi Field, with Spirit forward Trinity Rodman’s third-minute opener equaled out by Louisville midfielder Savannah DeMelo’s goal in the 51 ^st minute to help draw level. A straight red card offense by Elli Pikkujämsä in the 77 ^th minute forced the visitors to go down a player, but they managed to hold on in the end for a point.
The hosts wasted no time getting going on familiar turf as Rodman put them ahead inside the opening three minutes as she got in behind the Louisville defense. Chasing a through pass played down the middle from teammate Ashley Hatch, Rodman latched onto the ball before cutting in and back out again to dazzle a Louisville defender and create just enough space for her to send her effort through Racing goalkeeper Katie Lund’s legs and in. The goal was her fourth of the season so far, just one behind Hatch.
The 19 ^th minute then saw Washington come close twice again as Rodman had a shot saved before defender Tara McKeown rattled the crossbar with a powerful drive toward the top right corner. Rodman had gotten around the defense on the left flank when she cut onto her right foot again inside the box and beat an effort at Lund that she did well to parry. Eventually, the ball worked its way out to McKeown some 30 yards from goal. As she took a pair of touches forward, she strove ahead and ripped a rocket that clanged the bar on its way over and out of play.
The hosts final chance of the first half came for Rodman in the 35 ^th minute via a breakaway. Doing her best to hold her run ahead of a through pass, the forward then shot after a ball down the field and eventually ran onto goal and clipping a smooth finish to the far post and in. However, the flag went up for offside and Rodman’s goal was nullified, meaning the Spirit held onto just a one goal lead heading into halftime.
Drama was apparent as soon as the second half began with Washington’s Paige Metayer fouling Louisville Ary Borges just inside the 18-yard box to result in a penalty for the visitors. Stepping up to take was midfielder Savannah DeMelo, and she sent Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury the wrong way as her goalscoring form continued and Louisville pulled even once again.
The takedown that led to Louisville defender Elli Pikkujämsä’s dismissal in the 77 ^th minute is what led to Washington’s free kick opportunity in the 79 ^th minute from just outside the box. Unfortunately for the Spirit, though, the Louisville wall held firm and a subsequent cross was blocked as they clung onto the result.
Washington would have two more chances to nab a late winner, beginning with attacker Ashley Sanchez hitting the bar in the 86 ^th minute following a Dorian Bailey cross from the wide flank. Then, in the ninth and final minute of added time, Andi Sullivan had a deflected effort also hit the post on its way out, but the hosts were unable to come up with a late winner to separate the two sides.
The Spirit’s second-straight win is enough to propel them into 3 ^rd place with 17 points from 10 games, overtaking San Diego and OL Reign ahead of the Wave’s match tomorrow night. Meanwhile, Racing Louisville is up to 8 ^th place with 11 points from its 10 games, bouncing back from its last loss to earn a positive result.

Match Highlights

Match Highlights