Photo Copyright Brad Mills for Imagn Images
A few days ago, fans of the Washington Spirit learned that their rookie phenom, Croix Bethune, had suffered a season-ending injury. Bethune, who has spent the season smashing NWSL records both for rookies and for players at large, leaves massive shoes to fill.
As she recovers from her torn meniscus, the Spirit were left wondering what they will do without their three-time rookie of the month, who already matched the NWSL single-season assist record. But the Spirit may have found their answer in Saturday’s performance against the Portland Thorns.
Saturday’s match, which featured a late game-winner and some of the best out-of-possession play the Spirit have presented all season, heavily included Ashley Hatch. Although she didn’t get on the board as a goal scorer, she looked dangerous the entire game. Hatch had a handful of shots on goal as well as a few other shots that went high or wide, and, most importantly, she set up teammate Trinity Rodman for her tying goal in the 60th…
