WASHINGTON — In a thrilling showdown, Aubrey Kingsbury showcased her skills by saving the first three penalty shots during a tense shootout, propelling the Washington Spirit to victory against reigning champions Gotham FC on Saturday. This win secured the Spirit’s place in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) championship match.
The Spirit are set to clash with the victor of Sunday’s semifinal between the Orlando Pride and the Kansas City Current in the championship game, which is scheduled for next Saturday.
Gotham FC struck first with a goal from Esther González, yet Hal Hershfelt managed to equalize for the Spirit during stoppage time in the second half. After a scoreless extra time, the match culminated in a shootout.
Kingsbury’s remarkable saves proved vital as she dived to her right, stopping three consecutive attempts from Gotham, while her teammates, Ashley Hatch, Lena Silano, and Tara McKeown, confidently converted their first three penalties in the shootout.
“I just wanted to do what I could to help the team win,” Kingsbury expressed following the match. “We’ve been practicing for these moments, and after grinding out those 120 minutes, I knew my teammates would deliver—and I just did my part.”
Gotham FC came out strong, employing an aggressive high press that led to multiple turnovers and close chances. Esther González nearly scored right off the bat, hitting the crossbar in the first minute, while Ella Stevens’ header struck the left post shortly thereafter.
The Spirit, reacting to Gotham’s pressure, adapted and managed four shots on target in the first half. However, Gotham’s goalkeeper, Ann-Katrin Berger, was instrumental in keeping the Spirit at bay with several key saves.
The second half began with more intensity as Gotham’s Esther González connected with Yazmeen Ryan’s cross, sending a header past Kingsbury in the 56th minute to secure Gotham’s lead.
González, who registered nine goals this season, had previously scored the game-winning goal in the 2023 NWSL championship match.
Before a sold-out crowd of 19,365 at Audi Field, the Spirit relentlessly sought an equalizer, which finally came in stoppage time. After Tara McKeown was fouled just outside the box, the Spirit earned a free kick in a precarious position. Hershfelt capitalized by heading in Makenna Morris’ cross during the 93rd minute.
In a turning point for Gotham, substitute Bruninha received her second yellow card in the 101st minute for a foul on Trinity Rodman, leaving Gotham to play with one fewer player for the remainder of the extra time. Despite this challenge, Gotham, who had the joint best defensive record this season with only 20 goals conceded, managed to hold on and push the match to penalties.