Ashley Hatch Sparks Washington Spirit in NWSL Season Opener

Washington, D.C. — Ashley Hatch made a strong statement in her ninth National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season, scoring for the Washington Spirit in their season-opener against the Kansas City Current last week, leading to a 2-1 victory.

This win marks Hatch’s 19th career game-winning goal, placing her second in NWSL history. Last November, she narrowly missed winning her second NWSL championship, and now she is eager to make an impact this season.

“I can’t complain. I feel like it’s a good way to start. Scoring goals and winning games is always positive,” Hatch said in an interview with the Deseret News. “I’m just really excited to start off the year with a goal and a win.”

Hatch’s impressive goal came as a continuation of her strong finish to the 2024 season, where she netted five goals in the last seven regular season games. Earlier in the 2024 season, she had to reclaim her starting position after falling out of the lineup due to injuries.

“I think it gives me motivation but also just like an extra sense of just belief in myself. Going through starting and then not starting and then earning a spot again helps me prove to myself that I can do hard things,” she explained.

Hatch’s philosophy towards her career is shaped by her experiences, and she emphasizes the importance of not taking her starting role for granted. “Everything I experienced last year definitely helps me already this year and is going to continue to help me with whatever is thrown my way this year,” she noted.

Throughout her NWSL career, Hatch has scored a total of 54 regular season goals, which ties her for fifth all-time with Jessica McDonald, who retired after the 2023 season. To maintain her consistency, Hatch focuses on constant improvement.

This season, she aims to enhance her scoring capabilities within the box, finding advantageous positions for scoring opportunities, whether that involves finishing crosses or positioning for easy tap-ins. She’s also fine-tuning her ability to take deep shots.

“As a forward, there are so many different ways that you can contribute to scoring goals,” Hatch said.

In addition to her offensive contributions, Hatch leads by example both on and off the field, aspiring to create a supportive and inclusive environment for her teammates. She takes a protective stance towards the younger players, likening them to her younger sisters.

“Whenever they’re in an argument or the ref’s talking to them, I want to make sure I’m always close by to have their back and ensure they feel supported,” she stated.

For Hatch, a successful 2025 season involves continuous improvement and commitment. “It’s just consistently doing the things that I want to be doing, showing up every day, working hard, and always feeling like I’m getting better or improving every single day,” she emphasized.

Her aspirations extend beyond personal milestones; she is determined to contribute to the overall success of the Spirit, expressing her desire to score goals and help her teammates improve.

“If that’s scoring goals, let’s score as many as I can. If it’s helping others around me get better, then I want to help everyone else around me get better,” Hatch said, showing her dedication to the team’s success.

Hatch is optimistic about the Spirit’s potential to win the NWSL shield and championship, but she recognizes that achieving such goals requires consistent effort and focus. “It’s about showing up for each other every single day, focusing one game at a time, continuing to improve, and learning from wins and losses,” she remarked.

The Washington Spirit will play their second match of the season against the Kansas City Current on Saturday, their first home game of the year.