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Emily Sonnett and Kelley O’Hara embody Spirit’s ‘never-say-die mentality’

Emily Sonnett slides to tackle OL Reign’s Dzsenifer Marozsán during the Washington Spirit’s win on Sunday. (Stephen Brashear/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

In a 2-1 semifinal win over OL Reign on Sunday, defender Emily Sonnett put her body on the line for the Washington Spirit. Literally.

“Sonnett was part center back, part hockey goalie tonight with how many shots she was blocking,” interim head coach Kris Ward said after the game. “She’s just a warrior. I fail for words sometimes with her performances.”

OL Reign’s star forwards put the Spirit’s backline under heavy pressure from the opening whistle, with Eugénie Le Sommer finding the back of the net in the third minute to set a new NWSL playoff record for fastest goal. From there, the Spirit’s defense didn’t relent. OL Reign tallied 23 shots to the Spirit’s 13 in the game, but only three of them ended up on frame as the Washington backline blocked 12.

“I think we were caught in a vulnerable spot and they capitalized, but I don’t think there was any panic amongst the group,” Sonnett said. “We still felt very comfortable through the first half.”

Sonnett’s ability to stay calm in the heat of the moment is one of her defining characteristics. Even playing on some of the biggest international stages with the U.S. women’s national team, she always seems to find a way to lighten the mood.

“Sonnett is hilarious,” Ward said. “I love her to death because she’s really quite funny. It’s funny to see that play out during the game, and like at the most intense moment, she’ll drop a one-liner on you that you just were not prepared for at all.”

After starting her NWSL career with the Portland Thorns, Sonnett joined the Spirit heading into the 2021 season along with USWNT teammate Kelley O’Hara, who had been with the Utah Royals (now known as the Kansas City Current).

Sonnett, 27, and O’Hara, 33, have been the anchors of Washington’s improved defense this season. In their last eight matches, including the quarterfinal and semifinal wins, the Spirit have conceded just three goals and recorded five shutouts.

“[Emily] and Kelley have been a big part of that just in terms of the organization of the team as well in this never-say-die mentality,” Ward said.

That mindset clicked in early September, after the team was forced to forfeit two matches for violating the league’s COVID-19 protocols that had resulted in four positive cases.

“That fired up Kelley O’Hara in a way that I’ve not seen before,” Ward said. “Her entire mentality from that point was like, ‘All right’ — how do I phrase this politely? ‘Forget you guys. We’re going and we’re going to win anyways.’ And she was steadfast in that and everyone jumped on board. …

“As difficult and as hectic and crazy as that moment in time was, it really, really was a galvanizing effect for us. Kelley and Sonnett were a big part of that because that was just how they reacted to that situation.”

On Sunday, Sonnett and O’Hara led a backline with Sam Staab and Tegan McGrady. When they weren’t blocking shots from Le Sommer, Megan Rapinoe, Dzsenifer Marozsán and Rose Lavelle, they were getting involved in the attack. O’Hara, in particular, made several runs down the flank and served in crosses across the Reign’s goal line.

After OL Reign’s opening goal, Staab helped Washington answer less than 10 minutes later, placing a perfect long ball from the Spirit’s half into Reign’s box and right onto Trinity Rodman’s foot. Rodman let it take one bounce before slotting it past Reign goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi.

“Sam Staab has upped her game and has been very, very good,” Ward said.

Selected fourth overall by the Spirit in 2019, Staab became just the second NWSL rookie to play every minute of her first season. Rodman, last year’s No. 2 pick, was named Rookie of the Year by JWS and looks like a lock to win the same award from the NWSL.

Ward likes changing the team’s formation to give opponents different looks. That often means adding a fourth player across the back, such as Julia Roddar or Tegan McGrady.

“They’re both very sound defensively and they both have great qualities going forward,” he said. “So we’ve got a lot of really great pieces there.”

Ward feels comfortable slotting in new — and often younger — players because Sonnett and O’Hara provide a steadying presence. As the Spirit head into the final next Saturday against the Chicago Red Stars, just one win away from the franchise’s first NWSL championship, they will rely on their veterans once more.

“Credit to them,” Ward said. “They come good on their word more often than not, so here we are getting ready to head to Louisville.”

Jessa Braun is an editorial intern for Just Women’s Sports. She is also the Head of North American Content for the Women’s Sports Alliance. You can find her on Twitter @jessabraun.

USC’s Aaliyah Gayles Opens Up About Her Journey Back to Basketball

USC Basketball - Aaliyah Gayles

As part of our 1-v-1 video series, USC’s India Otto sat down to interview her teammate Aaliyah Gayles. Here are five things to know from our conversation with the redshirt freshman guard from Las Vegas.

#1 Aaliyah suffered from a near-death act of violence in 2022.

The incident taught her a lot about herself and the support around her. “[USC] Coach Lindsay [Gottlieb] was one of the first people to fly out there and come see me. That means a lot to me off the court.” 

#2 Her favorite USC memory is when she surprised her teammates after getting out of the hospital.

She left her walker at the door to show she was on the road to returning to the court. “That was my favorite memory because it was family. It was my first time being able to walk to you guys and see you practice.”

#3 There's a reason she wears #3.

#3 was her grandpa’s favorite number and a golden number in her life. Plus, AG3 has a nice ring to it. 

#4 She has a list of basketball GOAT’s:

Candace Parker, Magic Johnson, Allen Iverson, Kobe Bryant, and Cason Wallace.

#5 There have been many celebrity appearances at USC’s games over the years, especially this season.

Aaliyah’s favorites include Will Ferrell, Kehlani, and Saweetie. And she hopes Lil Durk will come to watch a game soon.

Watch the full conversation on the Just Women’s Sports YouTube channel.

Gotham, USWNT forward Midge Purce out with ACL tear

(Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports)

Midge Purce announced on Wednesday that she has torn her ACL. 

The Gotham FC and USWNT forward went down with the injury on Sunday during Gotham’s 1-0 win after tweaking it earlier in the game. Gotham coach Juan Carlos Amorós did not have any immediate updates following the match, with further evaluation revealing the tear. 

“It’s a reality I’m still struggling with and has left me with not too much to say,” Purce wrote in a statement on social media. “I’m heartbroken to no longer be available for my season with Gotham FC or for Olympic selection with the USWNT – know I’m rooting for you both all year long. 

“Though you may not see it, I’ll be doing everything I can to get back on the field.”

Purce is just the latest women's soccer star to tear her ACL, and joins USWNT teammate Mia Fishel in having torn her ACL in the last couple of months. Other notable players include Catarina Macario and Christen Press, with Macario only just returning to the USWNT lineup after tearing hers in 2022. 

International stars such as Alexia Putellas, Beth Mead, Vivianne Miedema and Leah Williamson have also suffered ACL tears. 

Purce’s injury caused Amorós to call out the international schedule, which has been a growing point of concern as more players fall victim to injuries and the playing schedule becomes more packed. Kansas City’s Debinha suffered a hamstring injury in the team’s opening game, while both Lynn Williams and Rose Lavelle have yet to play for Gotham due to injuries picked up during the W Gold Cup. 

“We lost Midge during the game which for me is a bittersweet flavor,” Amorós told reporters after Sunday’s game. “By the way, it’s another player that came from the Gold Cup. Last week, it was Debinha. We are paying the consequences of a tournament that shouldn’t have happened.”

“We’re talking about protecting the players, [who shouldn’t] go to play an international competition after one week of preseason,” Amorós continued. “We’ve seen the consequences now. We’ve got Rose, Lynn, last week it was Debinha in Kansas [City] and now we have Midge. From my experience, the clubs are going to keep paying for that competition."

In her statement, Purce said that “so many friends, teammates and even players I’ve only ever competed against” reached out to offer support. 

“I am so blessed,” she wrote. “Your messages have meant so much to me throughout this process, you have consoled what, for a moment, felt inconsolable. Thank you for reminding me that our football world is not only full with incredibly talent but also, incredible kindness.”

Lauren Jackson included on Australia Olympics roster

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 01: Lauren Jackson of Australia celebrates with team mates after playing her final Opals game during the 2022 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 3rd place match between Canada and Australia at Sydney Superdome, on October 01, 2022, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

Lauren Jackson has come out of retirement once again to compete for a spot on Australia’s Olympic roster. 

Jackson was included on the 26-player roster named by coach Sandy Brondello on Tuesday that will take part in training camps, tours and games in the lead-up to the Paris Olympics. The roster will eventually be whittled down to just 12 players selected from the 26 named on Tuesday.

Jackson helped Australia qualify for the Olympics with a win over Germany in February. After that, she announced her retirement, revealing that she struggled to spend so much time away from her two young children. 

The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper reported that Jackson and the basketball federation had come to an agreement in which they would help cover costs for her children to travel with the team for training camps and the Olympics. 

She’s largely expected to make the Opals’ Olympic roster. 

"It's always an exciting time to announce an Olympic squad and I congratulate all the athletes," Opals coach Sandy Brondello said. "They all know what it means to play for Australia and they all want the opportunity to represent their country at an Olympics. Our squad is full of exceptional talent and they will make the decision to pick a final 12 very difficult."

At the 2022 FIBA World Cup, Jackson helped Australia win a bronze medal with 30 points against Canada. She had previously retired in 2016 due to knee injuries, but slowly made a return in a domestic Australian league the last few years.

Jackson has won four Olympic medals, including three consecutive silver medals starting with Sydney in 2000 when she was a teenager. 

First two rounds of NCAA tournament boast record attendance, viewership

(David K Purdy/Getty Images)

The first two rounds of the women’s NCAA tournament broke attendance and viewership records set just last year – and it wasn’t even close. 

The NCAA announced on Tuesday that attendance for the first two rounds of the tournament was more than 292,000 – up from last year’s record, when almost 232,000 fans attended the first two rounds.

Among the host sites, Iowa had the biggest crowds with nearly 29,000 fans packing Carver-Hawkeye Arena in the first and second rounds. 

"We expected the historic success and quality of play and high level of competition from the regular season would carry through into March Madness. Our championship is again delivering," NCAA vice president of women's basketball Lynn Holzman said in a statement. "Record crowds, ratings, incredible performances and evolving storylines will continue to make the next two weeks a must-see for fans across the world."

And for those that couldn’t attend the sold-out Iowa games, they watched on television. Monday’s matchup between Iowa and West Virginia drew 4.9 million viewers, setting a record for a women’s D-I tournament game prior to the Final Four. 

It is also the third most watched tournament game in the last 20 years, behind last year’s national championship between LSU and Iowa (9.92 million) and Iowa’s Final Four win over South Carolina (5.6 million).

Iowa’s game against Holy Cross in the first round drew 3.23 million viewers. 

But it wasn’t just Iowa drawing big viewership. ESPN’s five games on Monday averaged 2.25 million viewers. UConn and Syracuse drew 2.05 million viewers while LSU and Middle Tennessee on ABC drew 2.01 million viewers on Sunday. 

The full, 16-game slate for the second round averaged 1.4 million viewers – a 121% increase from last year and the highest average ever for the second round.

The full tournament so far is averaging 812,000 viewers per game, a 108% increase from last year.

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