After the Whistle: Luvanga’s late winner lifts Spirit past Houston, 3–2
Washington answered twice after Houston equalized, with Clara Luvanga delivering the 84th-minute winner.
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After the Whistle: Luvanga’s late winner lifts Spirit past Houston, 3–2 · Carlitos
Open this recap on The Mixed BagThe Washington Spirit kept finding another answer in Houston and came away with a 3–2 road victory over the Dash. Tara Rudd opened the scoring in the 11th minute, heading in Esme Morgan’s corner for her third goal of the season.
Houston leveled just before halftime through Miljana Ivanović, but Washington restored its lead six minutes into the second half. Trinity Rodman released Sofia Cantore into the box, and Cantore finished the one-on-one chance for a 2–1 advantage.
Ivanović struck again in the 59th minute, turning the match into a late test. Houston nearly grabbed the lead when Clarissa Larisey hit the crossbar in the 80th. Four minutes later, Washington delivered the decisive move: Claudia Martínez played Clara Luvanga through, and Luvanga scored the winner in only her second Spirit appearance.
Sandy MacIver handled Houston’s final shots, and the Spirit closed out their 15th win of the season. The result put Washington nine points above the playoff line with three matches remaining and moved the club close to securing a third consecutive postseason berth.