No. 10 Denver isn’t giving up the fight, rising to just one point below the playoff line with 12 games to go after Saturday’s 2-1 win over No. 3 Utah.
Summit forward Yazmeen Ryan opened the scoring early in the second half, before a stoppage-time free kick from Janine Sonis bested Royals defender Tatumn Milazzo’s late equalizer.
“I was in tears,” Denver forward Ally Brazier said of Sonis’s game-winner. “It just shows how much we care.”
The Summit’s push underlines another stacked NWSL slate. No. 6 North Carolina upset No. 2 Washington in a 4-3 goal-fest. Then, on Sunday, No. 5 Portland hit the same 4-3 scoreline in Sunday’s victory over No. 12 Boston.
Friday’s 1-0 win over No. 4 San Diego saw No. 1 Gotham leap four points over the Spirit, as ex-Wave star Jaedyn Shaw played hero for the Bats.
“That's part of our DNA,” Shaw said afterward. “To be physical, to be able to grind out games, and to be able to set the tone early.”
