Olivia Moultrie scored in each half and the visiting Portland Thorns clinched a playoff berth with a 2-0 victory over Angel City Sunday afternoon in Los Angeles.
Portland (10-8-7, 37 points) clinched a playoff spot for the ninth straight season thanks to Moultrie’s second career two-goal game and her second in three games.
Moultrie scored in the 23rd minute and struck again by converting a penalty kick in the 60th.
Angel City (7-12-6, 27 points) was eliminated from the postseason and will miss the postseason for the third time in four seasons since entering the league as an expansion team.
Portland goalie Mackenzie Arnold made four saves for her third career shutout and preserved the two-goal lead by making consecutive stops on Sara Doorsoun and Christen Press shortly after Moultrie’s penalty kick.
Angel City goalie Angelina Anderson made one save as Portland attempted 10 shots.
Portland went ahead on a transition play when Alexa Spaanstra passed to Moultrie, who was positioned outside the box. Given plenty of time, Moultrie lifted a right-footed shot to the right corner over the right hand of Anderson, who attempted to make a leaping catch.
Moultrie scored her first goal after seeing a shot go wide in the seventh minute.
After a foul in the penalty area, Moultrie easily made it 2-0 by sending a right-footed shot by Anderson.
–Field Level Media