Three days after opening the National Women’s Soccer League regular season, the Washington Spirit on Wednesday resumed preseason with a shootout victory over Seattle’s OL Reign at Audi Field. Yes, preseason.
But the quirkiness of NWSL scheduling was overshadowed by a Challenge Cup semifinal that ended in high drama. Outplayed in the second half, the Spirit managed a 0-0 draw before prevailing on penalty kicks, 9-8, in 10 rounds — twice as long as a standard tiebreaker.
Aubrey Kingsbury, the reigning NWSL goalkeeper of the year, was the hero, making two saves, including a spectacular clincher on Jess Fishlock, the league’s MVP last year.