Chicago’s Ludmila scored for the third consecutive match and her second-half goal gave the lowly Stars a 1-1 draw with the host Washington Spirit on Sunday.
Ludmila has nine goals this season, including five in the last three matches.
Sofia Cantore opened the scoring in the 57th minute for second-place Washington (9-4-5, 32 points), which extended its unbeaten string to six matches. Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury stopped three shots.
About 10 minutes after falling behind, Chicago (1-9-8, 11 points) responded on Ludmila’s tally. Alyssa Naeher made three saves for the Stars, who’ve recorded five consecutive ties despite occupying one of the two worst records in the NWSL.
Cantore, in just her fourth match of the season with the Spirit, scored for the second time. The ball was delivered in front of the goal mouth, with the threat initially thwarted. But the ball bounced out a few feet from the goal and Cantore was there to convert.
Ludmila’s goal came after the Spirit played the ball back from their offensive zone and didn’t retain possession. Ludmila made a long run into the box and Tara McKeown couldn’t cut her off before the shot was launched.
The Spirit finished with an 11-4 edge in corner kicks.
Washington won 3-2 in Chicago on May 12.
–Field Level Media
