**WASHINGTON, D.C.** – The Washington Spirit impressed in a big way on Saturday, defeating San Diego Wave FC, 3-1, in front of a home crowd of over 12,000 fans at Audi Field and a nationally-televised audience on CBS. Three second half goals commanded the way as Trinity Rodman, Ashley Sanchez, and Paige Metayer all landed on the scoresheet, with San Diego’s Alex Morgan scoring a consolation goal in the 90 ^th minute.
The hosts seemed to settle in the earliest and ended up having a first proper look at goal in the 8 ^th minute when attacker Ashley Sanchez nearly put the Spirit up if it weren’t for a good save by San Diego goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan to keep the shot out. Sanchez was in position near the top of the box and directly center on goal when she received a pass and turned to fire a hard-hit shot toward Sheridan. The goalkeeper then did well to leap and tip the shot over the bar, though it would become clear that Sheridan would have to deal with much more to come.
In the 22 ^nd minute, Washington was back at it through forward Trinity Rodman on the left side. With the ball bouncing in the area inside the penalty area, Rodman produced a phenomenal bit of skill to trap the ball as it came down and squeeze it around a defender as she gained momentum on the turn. From there, she squared a pass for Sanchez just left of the penalty area, but Sanchez’s rushed right-footed effort would land would of the frame.
At the halftime interval, despite Washington’s two attempts, the amount of chances created by either side was low, and it remained scoreless.
[**- HIGHLIGHTS: WASHINGTON 3-1 SAN DIEGO -**](http://youtube.com/nwsl)
However, immediately into the second half, it looked like San Diego was going to score as forward Alex Morgan was sent down the right side with a through pass. Sprinting toward the edge of the box and onto the ball, Morgan then rounded Washington goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury and attempted to create an angle on goal. However, by that time the window was closing, and Morgan then attempted to play a pass back into the penalty toward a teammate, though the ball was eventually cleared.
After that, Washington survived the scare and would end up scoring the first goal of the evening in the 55 ^th minute. An unfortunate defensive play by the San Diego defense pushed the ball into the path of the forward Rodman just ahead of the 18-yard box. The error allowed Rodman to latch onto the ball with only Sheridan able to stop her, and she did what she was able to as Rodman produced a calm finish toward the right side of goal to put the Spirit one-up at home.
That goal then sparked something in the Spirit as they would go on to double their lead in the 70 ^th minute, this time with Sanchez getting on the board. Rodman was again the catalyst as she received a pass on the left flank and drove toward goal with a fury. As she closed in space, she opted to lay the ball back to Sanchez who was closing in just inside the box. Sanchez then hit the shot on the first time asking with her left foot, which resulted in a shot too strong for Sheridan to repel as Washington helped shut the door with a second goal.
Then, just nine minute later, their scoring exploits would be complete as a Sam Staab corner would be headed home by midfielder Paige Metayer for their third goal of the afternoon. Staab’s corner was delivered dead middle of the penalty area, and though Sheridan attempted to punch with a leaping effort, Metayer was first to the ball and nodded it home for all but assure a win for the Spirit.
San Diego would still pull one back in the 90 ^th minute as to not be shutout, though, as late pressure on goal eventually saw Washington’s defense crack just enough for Alex Morgan to put home a rebounded effort. Forward Amirah Ali had been played a pass into the right side of the penalty area where attempted to drive a low cross into the middle. That cross took a deflection of a Spirit player and eventually landed at the feet of Bella Briede. Briede then lined up an effort from close range that was saved well by Kingsbury, but the spillage landed nearly right at the feet of Morgan who was able to roll one home from close range.
In the end though, a dominant Washington performance saw them claim a deserved 3-1 win with forward Trinity Rodman scoring her third goal of the year while additions from Ashley Sanchez and Paige Metayer—each their first on the season—helped the Spirit see things through to completion. The win temporarily shoots Washington to the top of the table on 12 points (W3 D3) as their unbeaten start to the year continues, while it’s a second straight loss for San Diego who fell, 3-1, to the Orlando Pride at home last weekend.

Match Highlights

Match Highlights