Trinity Rodman and the Washington Spirit shook off a persistent Houston Dash side on Saturday, scoring a 3-2 road win that all but locks Washington into a NWSL playoff position. The result pushes the Spirit to 49 points in the NWSL standings, nine clear of the playoff line with just three games left.
Spirit Pull Ahead Early, Dash Claw Back in Weekend Thriller
Rodman fueled the Spirit's second-half surge, threading the assist on Sofia Cantore's go-ahead goal in the 51st minute. Cantore's finish marked her 10th career NWSL regular season goal. Before that, defender Tara Rudd put Washington ahead off an Esme Morgan corner in the 11th minute.
Miljana Ivanović kept Houston in the match, equalizing twice — first before halftime, then again in the 59th minute — becoming the first Serbian player to score in NWSL history.
But substitute Clara Luvanga answered in the 84th minute to clinch all three points for the visitors. Luvanga, the NWSL's first Tanzanian player, has now scored in just her second appearance for the Spirit.
The loss drops Houston to 8-13-6, officially ending the Dash's postseason hopes. The Spirit, meanwhile, will look to firm up their playoffs berth when they face top-ranked Gotham on October 17th at 12:30 PM ET on CBS.
