BOYDS, Md. –The only two teams to get shut out last week got on the board quickly at the Maryland Soccerplex Saturday night. The Washington Spirit scored three unanswered goals to defeat defending NWSL champions FC Kansas City, 3-1.
Christine Nairn led the way for the Spirit with two goals. She scored the first one in the 9th minute off a long-range shot. FC Kansas City had went ahead in the 6th minute through Heather O’Reilly, but the lead did not last. The second one she scored when Kansas City defender Amy LePeilbet fouled the Spirit’s Crystal Dunn just outside the penalty area in the 65th minute. Nairn lined up over the ball and her shot hit the post and curled in.
Prior to Nairn’s second goal, Dunn gave the No. 1 overall pick in 2014 scored her first professional goal.
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As the Blues did a week ago, they created chances but failed to convert. Spirit goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris made a couple of key saves to keep Kansas City from doing any more damage. The defending champions are off to a rough start but they have shown in the past they can bounce back from bad results.
FC Kansas City opened the season with a 1-0 home loss to Sky Blue FC. The Spirit dropped their opener on the road against the Houston Dash.
