NWSL 2019 - Week 8

The last week before the World Cup break is here, beginning with...

The Washington Spirit hosting the Utah Royals FC. Nicole Barnhart and Aubrey Bledsoe protect the nets. Washington started in the 23rd minute with an Ashley Hatch goal, set up by Tori Huster. The Spirit added on in the 70th minute with a Dorian Bailey goal. This stood for a 2-0 win, with the woman of the match being Bledsoe for her six-save clean sheet.

Also on Saturday, the Orlando Pride welcome the North Carolina Courage. Samantha Leshnak is mismatched with Haley Kopmeyer in goal. In the 53rd minute, Denise O'Sullivan of North Carolina had a yellow card for her foul. Orlando's Chioma Ubogagu took a yellow card for dissent in the 56th minute. The Courage got going in the 59th minute with a Kristen Hamilton goal. North Carolina added on with a 66th minute Hamilton goal, set up by Leah Pruitt. The Courage extended the lead as Hamilton completed her hat trick in the 85th minute, with the help of Jaelene Hinkle and Meredith Speck. This produced the 3-0 final score, with Hamilton awarded woman of the match honors.

On Sunday, Reign FC brings in the Houston Dash. Jane Campbell and Casey Murphy are the young goalies. Reign opened in the 32nd minute with a Bethany Balcer goal, after a deflected pass by Darian Jenkins. Shea Groom of Reign took a yellow card for a foul in first half stoppage time. Ally Prisock of Houston received a yellow card in the 67th minute for a foul. The Dash tied it in the 90th minute with a Christine Nairn goal. The game ended in a 1-1 draw, with the woman of the match being Balcer.

Finally, the Portland Thorns FC host the Chicago Red Stars. Emily Boyd and Britt Eckerstrom are the backups in goal. Portland struck first in the 27th minute with a Midge Purce goal, via Simone Charley. The Thorns added on in the 31st minute with another Purce goal, assisted by Charley again. Portland's Elizabeth Ball took a yellow card for a 37th minute foul. In the 66th minute, Casey Short of Chicago picked up a yellow card for a foul. The Thorns extended the lead in the 85th minute as Marissa Everett scored, thanks to Meghan Klingenberg. Kayla Sharples of the Red Stars had a yellow card for a foul in stoppage time. The game ended at 3-0, with Purce picked as woman of the match.

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