Nov 10, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Spirit defender Tara McKeown (9) and Bay FC forward Asisat Oshoala (8) battle for the ball during extra time in a 2024 NWSL Playoffs quarterfinal match at Audi Field. Mandatory Credit: James A. Pittman-Imagn Images An own goal in extra time gave the Washington Spirit a 2-1 victory over Bay FC in an NWSL quarterfinal game at Washington D.C.
In the 96th minute, a Spirit cross in front of the Bay FC goal bounced off the shoulder of defender Caprice Dydasco and landed in the back of the net. It proved to be the difference in a defensive battle that needed extra time to decide.
The second-seeded Spirit will advance to the semifinals and host the winner of Gotham FC and the Portland Thorns, while the inaugural season for expansion side Bay FC ended in disappointment for the No. 7 seed.
Neither side netted a goal until deep into the second half, as the Spirit’s Aubrey Kingsbury and Bay FC’s Katelyn Rowland put forth some of their best goalkeeping efforts of the season.
Kingsbury had a highlight-worthy stop in the 35th minute, leaping into the air to punch an attempt over the bar. Rowland denied Trinity Rodman a goal in the 24th minute.
In the 82nd minute, Asisat Oshoala finally broke the scoreless draw, knocking in a right-footed shot from very close range to put Bay FC ahead 1-0 with minutes remaining. The ball came to her Penelope Hocking, who corralled a delivery from the corner and sent it to Oshoala to tap in her eighth goal of the season.
The Spirit countered, scoring in the 86th minute. After a cross from Rodman was knocked out of the box, Tara McKeown charged up the middle of the field, took possession of the ball and fired a right-footed shot that took a few bounces before dribbling past Rowland into the left corner of the net.
Nothing was produced between the two sides in nine minutes of stoppage time to send the elimination game into extra time.
–Field Level Media
