Croix Bethune scored an early goal and the Washington Spirit led the rest of the way in a 2-1 road victory against Racing Louisville on Friday night.

An own goal accounted for the other Spirit tally as the team avoided what would have been its first two-game skid of the season.

Savannah DeMelo scored for Louisville (1-2-5, 8 points), which was playing in its lone home match during a five-match stretch. Louisville had its winless streak extend to three matches (0-2-1).

Washington (6-3-0, 18 points) won despite Louisville holding several slight statistical edges.

With the score 1-0, Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury stopped DeMelo’s penalty shot in the 26th minute.

The penalty shot came after Washington’s Tara McKeown committed a foul on Elexa Bahr in the penalty area.

Kingsbury finished with five saves. Louisville goalkeeper Katie Lund stopped two shots.

Bethune scored in the fifth minute off an assist from Audi Sullivan. It was Bethune’s fourth goal of the season, but her first tally in four matches.

An own goal charged to Louisville’s Lauren Milliet made it 2-0 before halftime.

DeMelo scored on a free kick in the sixth minute of first-half stoppage time, her third goal of the year. The shot came from about 10 yards beyond the top of the box, as DeMelo placed the ball perfectly in the upper right corner of the net.

–Field Level Media