Gift Monday hat trick powers Spirit past Dash, into playoffs

Gift Monday scored three first-half goals as the Washington Spirit wiped out the visiting Houston Dash 4-0 to clinch a playoff berth Sunday afternoon.

Sofia Cantore, who substituted in for Monday, had the other goal for the Spirit (11-4-7, 40 points), who snapped a two-match winless streak to become the second team after the Kansas City Current to wrap up a playoff spot.

Trinity Rodman provided two assists and Aubrey Kingsbury made two saves for the shutout.

The outcome allowed Washington, which holds second place in the standings, to stretch its points streak to 12 matches (6-0-6).

Monday scored in the 18th, 21st and 36th minutes, pushing her goals total to eight in her rookie season. The hat trick broke a drought; she hadn't scored since Aug. 3.

The Dash (7-10-5, 26 points) had won two of their previous three matches. This was the only scheduled match between the teams.

Rodman assisted on the match's first and third goals, the latter with a delivery that Monday charged toward the goal and redirected the ball into the net.

This marked the second time this month that the Spirit racked up four goals in a match, though they had a total of four goals in their previous three matches combined prior to Sunday. Washington scored on nearly half of its nine shots on goal against goalkeeper Abby Smith.

--Field Level Media