The post-title hangover for the Washington Spirit hit upon another sobering chapter Saturday night at Segra Field in Leesburg. In a rematch of last month’s NWSL Challenge Cup final, the North Carolina Courage scored a stoppage-time goal to hand the hosts a 3-2 loss that extended the Spirit’s winless run to 10 games.
The winner came from the Courage’s Kaleigh Kurtz, who scored from point-blank range. The Spirit’s drought has included five games in 16 days.
“We need to be able to figure the game out a little bit sooner and grow into it a little bit faster,” Spirit forward Ashley Hatch said.