Former BYU All-American soccer player Ashley Hatch burst onto the scene as a rookie in the NWSL in 2017. She tied the league’s rookie goal-scoring record, netting seven in her debut campaign.
Her club team – North Carolina Courage – finished atop the league in the regular season, taking home the NWSL Shield while also reaching the NWSL final. She was even named the NWSL Rookie of the Year.
After a fantastic debut season, she went on loan in the offseason to Australia, where she helped Melbourne City win the W-League championship.
At this point, she had even made her debut for the US women’s national team, playing one match in 2016 before adding another in 2018.
Following that record-breaking debut season, Hatch was traded to the Washington Spirit. It’s been a bit up and down since. While hatch scored four and seven goals in the 2018 and 2019 seasons (leading the team both years), the Spirit struggled to eighth and fifth-place finishes in the standings.
The Covid-19 pandemic then wiped out the full regular-season schedule in 2020, with the NWSL instead opting to play the Challenge Cup, and later the Fall Series. Hatch did record a goal and assist in the Challenge Cup in five matches, though her team was upset in the quarterfinals. In the four-game Fall Series, she was held scoreless and recorded no assists.
Then came 2021. The NWSL announced it would be playing a full schedule. Even with a season planned on the field, the league itself has had a disaster off of it. A report by The Atheltic detailed that Hatch’s former coach in North Carolina, Paul Riley, had a history of sexually abusing and coercing players.
On her current team, head coach Richie Burke was dismissed after being investigated for his treatment of players. Multiple players over his tenure left the team due to the toxic environment and alleged verbal and emotional abuse from the coach.
Through all the turmoil off the pitch, Hatch was the team’s bright spot on it. She started the season off strong, scoring in the opening match in a 1-1 draw against Orlando. Two games later, she scored the game-winner against Houston.
Two goals in the first three matches, and they just kept coming after that. In July, Hatch scored a brace in a win over North Carolina, her former team. She was named the NWSL’s Player of the Month and selected to its Team of the Month.
While Hatch led the front line, the Spirt climbed up the standings. The team was third in the table when the regular season ended, clinching its first playoff berth since 2016.
She ended the season scoring 10 goals, leading the league, and taking home the NWSL Golden Boot. When the end-of-season awards finalists were named, Hatch was at the front of the MVP list.
Time will tell if she receives even more individual accolades for her on-field performance. Even more importantly, the Spirit host North Carolina in the playoffs on Sunday evening. If Hatch comes through with another big performance against her former club, the Spirit could be on their way to glory.
For Washington to have a chance at a trophy, Hatch will have to be at her best. After the year she’s had, don’t be surprised if she leads Washington to the top of the NWSL mountain.
