Esther Gonzalez scores twice as Gotham shut out Spirit

Esther Gonzalez tallied twice in the first half, Sarah Schupansky also scored, and New Jersey/New York Gotham FC shut out the Washington Spirit 3-0 Saturday afternoon.

Gotham FC (3-2-2, 11 points) got going quickly, as Lilly Reale found Schupansky in the center of the box, who then converted with a right-footed strike for a 1-0 lead just three minutes into the game.

Washington goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury, who was under assault much of the day, found her footing, turning away multiple attempts as she matched Gotham's Ann-Katrin Berger in pitching a shutout for the next 29 minutes.

Kingsbury finished with four saves, while Berger had three saves in earning the shutout win.

Gotham finally broke through for a second goal when Gonzalez converted a penalty kick to the bottom right corner.

Then, in the 39th minute, Gonzalez knocked home a header on an assist from Schupansky on a cross following a corner.

Neither team could tally in the second half, as Washington (4-0-2, 12 points) finished with just three shots on goal.

--Field Level Media