HOUSTON — Despite being down a goal for the first half, the Washington Spirit defeated Houston Dash on their own field 3-1.

Houston’s Natalie Jacobs scored the first goal of the match during the first minute. This was also the former Spirit player’s first goal of the season.

While the Spirit had a few shots in the first half, none of them were able to see the back of the net. However, within the first ten minutes of the second half, Hal Hershfelt tied the score in the 52nd minute, with an assist from Ouleymata Sarr.

In the 82nd minute, newcomer Brittany Ratcliffe scored a rocket at the top of the 18-yard box with two defenders on her. This marks her first Spirit goal, and it also marks Casey Krueger’s first assist with the team.

Two minutes later, Gabby Carle crossed the ball into the 5-yard box, and Croix Bethune swept in and knocked it into the goal. Just like Kreuger, this was Carle’s first assist for the team. Similarly to the home opener on March 23, Bethune and Hershfelt both scored in this match, allowing them both to become the first Spirit rookies to score more than one goal in their first four matches for the team.

This is the Spirit’s third straight win. Hoping to continue this streak, the Spirit will play NWSL Champion Gotham FC in Audi Field on April 20. Tickets for the game can be bought here, and the match can be viewed virtually on CBS or Paramount+.