WASHINGTON D.C. — The Washington Spirit beat the Utah Royals, 2-1, on March 31 at Audi Field. This was the Spirit’s first time hosting the resurrected team that was previously active from 2018 to 2020.

Andi Sullivan scored the first goal of the day after a collision that took Spirit’s Croix Bethune down in Utah’s box. Sullivan swiftly took the shot and buried it in the net in the 21st minute.

The next goal came soon after in the 30th minute. Trinity Rodman crossed the ball cleanly into the box, and Ouleymata Sarr towered over the Royals defender and powerfully headed it into the goal, her first goal for the Spirit. Additionally, this assist has crowned Rodman as the career assists leader at the Spirit, with 17 assists since 2021, according to the Spirit’s post-game recap.

In the second half, the Royals amped up the pressure, attempting to respond to the Spirit’s two-goal lead. It paid off in the 71st minute with a goal from Ally Sentnor. The new team did not stop there: five minutes later, Dana Foederer takes a shot in the five-yard box, but is stopped by Aubrey Kingsbury, and the Royals are denied from making the game 2-2.

The Spirit will take on Houston Dash in Texas April 12, after a brief NWSL break for national team games. The game can be watched on NWSL+.