Trinity Rodman forced an own goal in extra time to help the Washington Spirit come from behind and earn a 2-1 win over Bay FC in the opening round of the NWSL playoffs on Sunday.
After a defensive battle for most of the game, Bay FC’s Asisat Oshoala got on the end of Penelope Hocking‘s cross in the 82nd minute, silencing the sellout crowd of 19,215 at Audi Field.
The play started when Alyssa Malonson whipped in a cross from the left that slipped all the way through to an unmarked Hocking on the far post. The substitute sent the ball back across the goal for Oshoala to finish with her first touch.
Tara McKeown equalized three minutes later. The center-back, who converted from forward last season, picked off a Bay clearance, dribbled forward and finished into the lower left corner with a shot from the top of the 18-yard box.
It’s the second time in league history that the go-ahead and equalizing goal were both scored after the 80th minute, with the result sending the Spirit to the semifinals.
While Rodman was held scoreless in the game, her cross forced the go-ahead goal six minutes into extra time. Bay FC defender Caprice Dydasco saw the ball late and accidentally redirected it into her ow net to give the Spirit the lead.
Both teams held firm defensively in…
