A lone set piece goal from North Carolina Courage gave them a 1-0 win against the Washington Spirit on Saturday night in Cary, NC. Despite holding off the Courage under intense pressure for an hour, the Spirit left Abby Erceg open to head in a 63rd minute free kick that proved to be the difference. The Spirit didn’t create many chances themselves, but saw a couple golden opportunities go awry.
Argentine midfielder Estefania Banini made her first start for the Spirit since leaving for the Copa America Femenina in March, starting as an attacking midfielder in a 4-2-3-1.