The Washington Spirit announced Friday, they have activated forward Ashley Hatch from maternity leave, and she will be available for selection for the first time since May 23, 2025.
Hatch strengthens the powerful Spirit attacking front as the club’s all-time leading regular season scorer with 52 goals across seven seasons and fifth most in NWSL history with 59 goals.
Hatch was a key member of the 2021 Washington Spirit as the league’s golden boot winner with 21 goals, and helped the club win their
first NWSL Championship as the team went on an 11-match undefeated streak from August through the playoffs.
The forward joined the league in 2017 after four seasons with Brigham Young University and was drafted with the second overall pick by the North Carolina Courage. In her first season Hatch won the NWSL rookie of the year award with seven goal across 24 appearances. After 2017 she was traded to the Washington Spirit with Taylor Smith in exchange for Crystal Dunn’s NWSL rights.
The Spirit play their next match on Saturday, August 8, against Hatch’s former club, the North Carolina Courage at home. In their last meeting the Spirit won 2-0 in North Carolina with two first half goals.
