by WASHINGTON — Madison Hammond (Navajo / San Felipe Pueblo) started in midfield for the Utah Royals on Saturday, but Utah’s first-ever NWSL playoff run ended one step short of the championship match as the Washington Spirit won the semifinal 2-1 at Audi Field.
Hammond played 52 minutes before coming off for Cecelia Kizer after an injury stoppage in the 49th minute. She finished with no goals, no assists and no cards.
Utah stunned the home crowd in the third minute when Cloé Lacasse scored on a header to put the No. 7-seeded Royals in front, but Washington answered five minutes later as Sofia Cantore converted a Trinity Rodman cross to make it 1-1 at halftime.
Clara Luvanga scored the winner in the 56th minute, racing onto an errant Utah backpass and chipping the ball over goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn.
The loss ends a breakthrough postseason for Utah, which reached its first NWSL semifinal after upsetting San Diego in the quarterfinals. Washington advances to its third straight NWSL Championship.
Utah’s season is over. Washington will host the NWSL Championship on Saturday, Nov. 21, at Audi Field against the winner of Sunday’s Gotham FC–Kansas City Current semifinal.
