It was a long wait since last season's exciting run to the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) semi-final match, but the Washington Spirit dididn't disappoint the crowd of over 4,100 when they opened their home season on Saturday night, April 18.  After giving up a goal early in the first half, Christine Nairn quickly leveled the score at 1-1 with a deftly placed shot to the upper right corner. The score remained tied at 1-1 until second-year player Crystal Dunn found the back of the net in the first minute of the second half.  Nairn struck again off a direct free kick midway through the period.  Meanwhile, USWNT goalie Ashlyn Harris (right) didn't give up another goal the rest of the way, thwarting Kansas City's high power offense with nine saves. Indeed, in the first half of the game, total shots were 14-3 in KC's favor, with 6 of KC's shots on goal. Kudos to Harris for keeping the Spirit in the game.

The Spirit's regular season continued the following weekend with a 3-1 road win vs. New Jersey's Sky Blue FC.  After two more road games over the next two weekends the team returns to Maryland for their next home game on May 16 vs. Sky Blue FC. This season BRYC Recreational Soccer has made an advance purchase of 70 Spirit unreserved seat ticket vouchers with a face value of $25 which we are making available to BRYC families at just $10 each! (There 's a strict limit of four $10 tickets per family for the first four games. Email BRYC's Washington Spirit Liaison, Ralph Schuetz, to request your tickets and arrange for pickup. Cash or check only, payable to BRYC.) Additional unreserved tickets may be purchased on the Washington Spirit web site for just $20 each.  Click on "Tickets", then "Individual Game", select the game of your choice and use the Discount Code "BRYC-2015" before completing your order. (Coaches should also inquire or check the Spirit web site regarding the Spirit's opportunities for participation in pre-game or half-time activities.)

The Spirit have just this one and two more more Saturday night home games this Spring, before the end of the school year and the BRYC Rec Soccer season, including May 16 vs. Sky Blue FC; May 30 vs. the Portland Thorns; and June 6 vs. the Boston Breakers. After the Womens' World Cup in Vancouver in June, the Spirit will return for six more matches this summer, five of them on Saturday nights. Check the Washington Spirit's home page for the complete schedule and plan to attend one of more games this summer at their beautiful Clarksburg Maryland facility.