Washington Spirit Advances to NWSL Championship

The Washington Spirit overcame NJ/NY Gotham FC in a dramatic NWSL semifinal, winning a penalty shootout 3-0 after a 1-1 draw in regular and extra time. Gotham took the lead in the 56th minute with a goal from Esther Gonzalez, but Hal Hershfelt equalized for the Spirit in the third minute of stoppage time with a header from Makenna Morris' free kick. The match was notable for its intensity, as Gotham played the final 19 minutes with only ten players after a red card. In the shootout, Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury saved all three penalty attempts from Gotham, while Ashley Hatch, Lena Silano, and Tara McKeown successfully converted their penalties. The Spirit will now advance to the championship match on November 23 against the winner of the Orlando Pride vs. Kansas City Current semifinal.