NWSL Challenge Cup news: Ricketts makes history in Spirit win, OL Reign and Racing clinch

NWSL Challenge Cup East Division news: Washington Spirit shock NJ/NY Gotham FC after weather delay, Courage continue top form

Washington Spirit vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC — 4-2, Washington Spirit

After eight minutes, one team looked to be running away with it, and it was not the home side.

USWNT Margaret Purce was involved in two goals for Gotham to open up the game as her assist and finish had Juan Carlos Amorós’ side inching closer to a Challenge Cup playoff game. Coming off a 6-0 defeat in North Carolina last weekend, it did not look likely that this Washington side could mount a comeback. With much more time to refocus compared to last week, Washington demonstrated immense resilience.

With Ashley Hatch leading the way in the frontline, the Spirit netted four unanswered goals from the 25′ on to win their second Challenge Cup contest. In the 43′ play was paused due to severe weather, and with the team down by a goal, it gave the home side time to regroup. Washington came out of that dressing room much more connected than the majority of the first 45 minutes.

The USWNT international forward, Hatch became the first player in the franchise’s history with a two-goal, one-assist display. She was involved in the build-up to every goal, earning the hockey assist just 10 minutes after halftime as her team converted the equalizer. With the help of Ellie Jean, Hatch put Washington in front.

While the striker was a massive talking point, 16-year-old Chole Ricketts made history. Ricketts’ calm left-footed finish put the icing on the cake for Washington and made her the youngest goal scorer in the history of the league. During her time in the NWSL so far, No. 39 has not shied away from anything. Ricketts, who was instrumental all night for the Spirit finally was given the award she deserved, her first professional goal.

North Carolina Courage vs. Orlando Pride — 5-0, North Carolina Courage

Nobody puts their foot on the gas pedal quite like the Courage. After the first few minutes, Seb Hines’ Orlando Pride stood no chance. The culture of this club is defined by winning, and these are displays that highlight just that. Sean Nahas’ North Carolina side thumped another East Division foe by five or more goals. Rookie Haley Hopkins netted two for NC as the team heads into the final week of full Challenge Cup action with four more goals than any other club during this cup tournament.

Everyone on the team made an impact including Brittany Ratcliffe, Sarah Clark, and Olivia Wingate off the bench. Ratcliffe began the onslaught, finding the back of the net to get things started, and drawing a penalty which led to the second. Clark and Wingate meanwhile earned the final two assists of the match, firing in a scintillating ball into the box just asking to be finished.

This group of players, even when it is missing world-class talents looks so connected in the build-up from the back. It is almost as if the Courage players know exactly where each other is going to be. It is just exceptional soccer. With a victory next week against Gotham, North Carolina will be the Eastern Division’s top representative in the Challenge Cup semifinals. Nobody has yet to defend a Challenge Cup title, but as it looks right now, the Courage are very well on track to do just that.