July 20, 2022 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Washington Spirit News Release
Washington, D.C., – Washington Spirit forward Ashley Hatch was named Best NWSL Player as a part of the 2022 ESPYs tonight at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
Hatch won the ESPY over three other nominees, including Spirit teammate Aubrey Kingsbury, OL Reign’s Jess Fishlock and NJ/NY Gotham FC’s Caprice Dydasco. Last season, Hatch tallied ten regular season goals and one postseason score en route to the league’s Golden Boot award. Additionally, through eight Challenge Cup matches and ten regular season matches, Hatch has notched another ten goals in 2022.
Earlier this week, Hatch and the USWNT won the Concacaf Women’s Championship with a 1-0 win over Canada, locking up its spot at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. The win avenged its loss in the semifinals at last year’s Olympics in Tokyo. Though Hatch was forced to leave the tournament early due to injury, she has proved to be a mainstay on the team.
The Spirit will take the field next on Friday, July 29 against the North Carolina Courage in Cary. The match will mark the return of Washington’s seven USWNT players and likely be the first time that the side will play at full strength since the team’s Challenge Cup-opening match in Orlando in March.
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