Gift Monday scored in the 83rd minute to break a tie as the Washington Spirit defeated the Chicago Stars FC 3-2 on Saturday afternoon at Bridgeview, Ill.
The Spirit (5-3-0, 15 points), who snapped a two-match losing streak, also had a goal from Rosemonde Kouassi and benefited from a first-half own goal that marked the first goal of the match. Washington scored on both of its shots on goal.
Julia Grosso and Sam Staab scored for Chicago (1-6-1, 4 points).
Kouassi, whose goal marked her first in NWSL play, assisted on the go-ahead goal. Monday shielded a defender in front of the net and took a pass from Kouassi to deliver the goal from short range.
Monday, who was a substitute, has scored in back-to-back matches and has three goals this season. Tara McKeown assisted on Kouassi’s goal, making a precision pass as Kouassi cut through the box toward the net.
Aubrey Kingsbury made two saves for the Spirit.
Orlando Pride 1, North Carolina Courage 1
Prisca Chilufya scored in extra time as the Orlando Pride secured a draw with the North Carolina Courage at Cary, N.C.
Chilufya, an NWSL rookie, secured her first career goal in the league. Her header off Angelina’s corner kick went high into the air and off the fingers of Courage goalkeeper Casey Murphy in the 93rd minute.
Feli Rauch scored in the 27th minute for the Courage (2-3-3, 9 points).
The Pride (5-2-1, 16 points) held a 15-7 edge in shot attempts. Still, Orlando has gone back-to-back matches without a victory for the first time this season.
Portland Thorns FC 1, San Diego Wave FC 1
Jayden Perry’s penalty kick deep into extra time provided the visiting Thorns with the tying goal.
San Diego’s Kimmi Ascanio, a 17-year-old, scored in the sixth minute, but the Wave couldn’t quite withstand a player-down situation for more than half of the match.
San Diego (4-2-2, 14 points) lost defender Kennedy Wesley to a red card late in the first half. A foul on the Wave’s Kristen McNabb in the penalty area set up Perry’s opportunity.
Ascanio headed in the ball off a pass from Perle Morroni. Ascanio has scored two goals in the past three matches.
Portland (3-2-4, 13 points) finished with 21 shots compared to five for the Wave.
–Field Level Media
