The perks and perils of the Washington Spirit’s offseason retooling surfaced during its home opener Saturday night at Audi Field: A jettisoned veteran came back to bite them, one touted rookie proved her promise with an equalizing goal, and another provided the stoppage-time winner in a dramatic 2-1 win over Bay FC.
Croix Bethune, the No. 3 pick in the NWSL draft, slotted home the decisive strike in the final moments after fellow rookie Hal Hershfelt — the No. 5 selection — negated an opening goal from former Spirit midfielder Dorian Bailey. The winner came after a series of near misses by Bethune, who collected a hopeful long ball into the box, combined with Ashley Hatch and slid a shot past goalkeeper Lysianne Proulx to hand the San Jose-based expansion team its first loss.