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WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 28, 2023) – Gotham FC scored two early first half goals, but fell 4-2 to the Washington Spirit in UKG Challenge Cup action on Friday night at Audi Field.
Straight out of the gates, Gotham FC came surging with momentum. Forward Midge Purce got on the score sheet in the fourth minute of play, putting away her first goal since returning from injury.
The build-up to the goal was a true team effort, which began when midfielder McCall Zerboni played midfielder/forward Delanie Sheehan near the right corner flag. With her back to goal, Sheehan played a give-and-go with forward Yazmeen Ryan and received the ball back again near the top right corner of the box. Sheehan then shot a driven ball to the far bottom corner, but it was saved by Washington Spirit goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart. Purce found the rebound and scored the opening goal to give Gotham FC the 1-0 lead.
Four minutes later, Purce notched an assist when she served up a cross to the far post into the path of Jenna Nighswonger. The rookie headed the ball across the goal and into the side netting, making it 2-0 in favor of Gotham FC at the eight-minute mark.
The Washington Spirit began mounting its comeback in the 25th minute, when Lena Silano sent a through ball into Ashley Hatch for the low, driven finish into the bottom right corner.
Gotham FC maintained a 2-1 lead heading into the weather delay in the 43rd minute before resuming the end of the first half.
The Washington Spirit continued its comeback in the second half with goals scored by Camryn Biegalski in the 55th minute, Hatch in the 63rd, and Chloe Ricketts in the 70th minute.
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STARTING LINEUP: Michelle Betos, Kristen Edmonds (Taylor Smith, 76’), Ali Krieger, Ellie Jean (Mandy Freeman, 69’), Jenna Nighswonger, McCall Zerboni (Mana Shim, 68’), Allie Long (Nealy Martin, 76’), Delanie Sheehan, Midge Purce, Katie Stengel, Yazmeen Ryan (Cyera Hintzen, 86’)
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