Washington Spirit forward Ashley Hatch is the NWSL’s 2021 Golden Boot winner as the top goal scorer in the league this season.
In 20 appearances for the Spirit during the regular season, Hatch scored 10 goals to secure the Golden Boot. It’s the fewest goals a player has needed to win the Golden Boot in NWSL history.
Hatch is just the second Spirit player to claim the honor after Crystal Dunn won it in 2015. Gotham FC’s Midge Purce, OL Reign’s Bethany Balcer and Houston’s Rachel Daly finished just behind Hatch with nine goals each.
Hatch lit up the highlight reel this season, but no goal was perhaps as stunning as her strike in the 59th minute of the Spirit’s win over OL Reign on Oct. 16 that marked her 10th of the season.
10/10 strike for @ash_hatch33 💯#RGNvWAS | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/gp98ovQ2xy— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 17, 2021
10/10 strike for @ash_hatch33 💯#RGNvWAS | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/gp98ovQ2xy
Hatch and the Spirit will host the North Carolina Courage in the NWSL quarterfinals on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. ET.