Leicy Santos and Trinity Rodman Power Washington Spirit to Third Straight Win

Spirit Dominate North Carolina

Leicy Santos opened the scoring in the 37th minute, collecting a precise cross from Kate Wiesner and converting with a crisp volley. The home side doubled their advantage just before halftime when Trinity Rodman laced a long‑range ball from Tara Rudd into the net. Sandy MacIver posted her sixth clean sheet of the season after making a single save.

North Carolina’s push was thwarted when a free‑kick goal by Ashley Sanchez was overturned following a video review. The referee ruled that Shinomi Koyama had encroached on the wall, nullifying the effort. The loss ends a four‑game winning streak for the Courage, dropping them to a 6‑4‑3 record.

Washington’s triumph cements its position in the upper echelon of the NWSL, highlighting the depth of its attacking options. The Spirit’s recent run of three consecutive victories signals strong momentum heading into the final stretch of the season. Santos and Rodman’s contributions underscore the squad’s balanced scoring threat.

Angel City Cracks SoCal Rivalry

Maiara Niehues sparked Angel City’s offense in the 17th minute, bursting past Perle Morroni after Luisa Agudelo failed to control the ball and heading the visitors ahead. Ary Borges added a second strike just ten minutes later, capitalizing on a long throw from Sveindís Jónsdóttir to seal a 2‑0 advantage. Angelina Anderson recorded six saves to secure her fourth shutout of the campaign.

The match was temporarily halted when Jun Endo went down without contact in the 33rd minute, requiring assistance off the pitch. Despite the setback, Angel City maintained its composure and responded to a late penalty for the Wave. Lia Godfrey’s spot‑kick hit the post, preserving the home side’s clean sheet.

Angel City’s victory boosts its standings and snaps San Diego’s 242‑minute shutout streak. Niehues’ goal marked her fourth consecutive match with a tally, showcasing her emerging role as a reliable scorer. The win reinforces the rivalry’s competitive intensity and sets up a compelling narrative for the remainder of the season.