Watch Ashley Hatch’s viral postgame interview — and her 51st goal
Ashley Hatch continues to climb the NWSL’s all-time scoring list.
On Friday, Hatch scored her 51st regular season National Women’s Soccer League goal, tying her with Megan Rapinoe for sixth all-time, according to the NWSL.
Hatch scored her 50th goal only two weeks ago, as the Deseret News previously reported.
Here is the NWSL’s all-time scoring list:
Sam Kerr, 74
Lynn Williams, 67
Christine Sinclair, 64
Alex Morgan, 60
Jess McDonald, 54
Ashley Hatch, 51
Megan Rapinoe, 51
Signed with the Spirit through 2026 and a 2027 option, the top three of the list is well within reach for Hatch. Alex Morgan retired earlier this month, Christine Sinclair announced her retirement last week and Sam Kerr no longer plays in the NWSL.
Since Hatch made her NWSL debut in 2017, only Williams has scored more regular-season goals (52) than Hatch (51), according to OptaJack.
Viral Ashley Hatch interview
Hatch’s goal on Friday wasn’t your average goal.
Hatch stole the ball from an Angel City FC defender just outside the box before scoring. It was Hatch’s fifth goal of the season and third in three weeks.
Ashley Hatch gets the goal!! @NWSL |@WashSpirit pic.twitter.com/W5te7wv4jk
— Sports on Prime (@SportsonPrime) September 28, 2024
Sports on Prime’s Kealia Ohai Watt, a former NWSL star from Draper, Utah, and Alta High school, interviewed Hatch after the game as well as Makenna Morris, who scored the game winner.
The interview went viral after Hatch concluded her portion of the interview.
“It was super important just to prove to ourselves that we can do it and we have a lot more to give, and so, I think the team did a really good job of showing that today,” Hatch said in her final postgame answer.
When Watt turned to Morris, Hatch slowly backed up and sidestepped her way out of the camera shot.
Wait for the end 😂 pic.twitter.com/hzFEufevbb
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) September 28, 2024
The moment got a lot of love on social media, and Hatch joined in on the fun, sharing the gif of Homer Simpson backing up into the bushes on X.
😂 https://t.co/sjBmt8W4u8 pic.twitter.com/ddUllbkUOZ
— Ashley Hatch (@ash_hatch33) September 28, 2024
How social media reacted to Ashley Hatch’s steal and goal
In addition to the love for her postgame interview, Hatch received praise on social media for her 51st goal.
Incredible! I’m an Ashley Hatch truther. Underrated player. Should have gone to the World Cup imo. https://t.co/7HkpIAgxbw
— Jenna Tonelli (@jennatonelli) September 28, 2024
Absolutely bonkers that at one point this season Ashley Hatch was only providing depth.
— Donielle White (@donielle_22) September 28, 2024
If you want a shot on target, call on Ashley Hatch.
— StarCityFan (@StarCityFan) September 28, 2024
goalkeepers still making Ashley Hatch mad in 2024, advise against it!
— Jason Linkins (@dceiver) September 28, 2024