WASHINGTON, D.C. – Orlando Pride was made to work for it but kept their undefeated start to the season going with a 1-1 draw to Washington Spirit at Audi Field on Sunday afternoon.
In the 64th minute, Ashley Hatch opened the scoring for the hosts through a header from Kelley O’Hara’s cross. It was a well-placed cross that Hatch finished perfectly to put Washington 1-0 up and temporarily on the top of the NWSL table.
That lead only lasted three minutes as Orlando quickly equalized with Marta intercepted Aubrey Bledsoe’s throw. With the ball at her feet, she played the ball to Taylor Kornieck who shot across the face past Bledsoe for her first goal of the season.
It was a hard-fought match with the goals not coming until after the hour mark which perhaps showed why this was a top-of-the-table clash.
Goalkeepers starred in the first half with Ashlyn Harris and Bledsloe coming up big for their teams. Harris made a stunning full-stretch save in the 26th minute to keep it scoreless.
Just before the opener there was a good moment for the Pride with Erika Tymrak finally making her return from injury.
With the point, Orlando Pride remains in first place in the NWSL standings heading into next week’s FIFA break. That will see Pride without a match until June 20th when they will host NJ/NY Gotham and commemorate the fifth anniversary of the Pulse Nightclub tragedy.
Photo: NWSL
Florida Soccer Report 