NWSL roundup: Gotham downs Angel City FC to continue strong start

Midfielder Rose Lavelle buried a left-footed shot into the bottom right corner of the net with 62 minutes gone to break up a deadlock and hand NJ/NY Gotham FC its third straight win with a 2-1 result against Angel City FC on Saturday in Harrison, N.J.

Lavelle's second goal of the season came in the center of the box and was set up by Delanie Sheehan, her first assist of the season. It kept Gotham (6-2-3, 21 points) unbeaten since April 20, with five wins and two draws in that stretch.

Angel City (3-6-2, 11 points) had equalized in the 51st minute when Clarisse Le Bihan found the bottom left corner on a long-range probe, assisted by Alyssa Thompson, but was ultimately handed its third loss in four games.

Angel City's last win came on May 3.

Crystal Dunn opened the scoring in the 26th minute, finishing off a fast-break opportunity with a goal in the bottom left corner. Yazmeen Ryan earned the assist.

Over 20 minutes of extra time were added after a chippy contest that saw two yellow cards issued (Madison Curry and Mandy Freeman).

Messiah Bright's attempt at an equalizer in extra time was saved by Ann-Katrin Berger.

Spirit 1, Royals 0

Kate Wiesner scored in the 26th minute and visiting Washington extended its winning streak to four games with a victory against Utah at Sandy, Utah.

Aubrey Kingsbury made six saves as the Spirit (9-3-0, 27 points) earned their second shutout of the season and won for the second time against the Royals this season.

Wiesner's first career MLS goal came after her initial shot was blocked from just inside the penalty area. She pounced on the loose ball and took a nearly identical shot from just outside the penalty area, with this one finding its way through traffic and past Royals goaltender Mandy Haught.

Utah (1-10-1, 4 points) remained in last place while going a third consecutive game without a goal. Haught finished with three saves.

Thorns 1, Courage 0

Sophia Smith scored her NWSL-leading ninth goal of the season from the penalty spot in the 79th minute and Portland earned the victory over visiting North Carolina.

Shelby Hogan made one save to earn her fourth clean sheet for the Thorns (7-4-1, 22 points), who rebounded from a 2-1 loss to the first-place Orlando Pride on May 24.

Casey Murphy made four saves for the Courage (5-7-0, 15 points), who have been outscored 4-0 over consecutive defeats.

After she was subbed off in the 90th minute, Smith earned her second yellow card for time wasting after she rolled the ball under the Thorns' bench in the 102nd minute.

Bay FC 2, Red Stars 1

Kiki Pickett scored in the first half and Joelle Anderson scored in the second half as visiting Bay FC took a two-goal lead and held off Chicago in a game played at Wrigley Field.

Katelyn Rowland made two saves for Bay FC (4-8-0, 12 points), which won for the second time in three games after a five-game losing streak.

Penelope Hocking scored in the 93rd minute for the Red Stars (5-6-1, 16 points), while Alyssa Naeher made five saves. Chicago lost its third consecutive game.

--Field Level Media