Sophia Smith’s hat-trick leads Thorns past Spirit

Sophia Smith scored three goals as the Portland Thorns beat visiting Washington Spirit 4-2 in a National Women’s Soccer League game on Friday night.

Smith, one of the players selected earlier this week for the US national team heading into the World Cup next month, leads the NWSL with 10 goals this season.

Smith beat a trio of defenders from outside the box for her first goal in the 11th minute, but Ashley Hatch equalized for the Spirit some two minutes later. It was Hatch’s seventh goal this season.

Smith’s second goal was another attack from outside the box in the 23rd.

Ashley Sanchez opened the second half with a goal to tie it again for the Spirit before Smith got her third in the 47th. Morgan Weaver added one last goal for the Thorns in the 63rd to make it 4-2.

The game was a battle between the two leading teams in the league. With the win, the Thorns (7-2-4) moved to the top of the standings ahead of the Spirit (6-2-5).

Portland’s roster included Smith, U.S. teammate Crystal Dunn, Hina Sugita (Japan), Rocky Rodriguez (Costa Rica), and Christine Sinclair and Adriana Leon (Canada).

The Spirit side featured American players Trinity Rodman, Aubrey Kingsbury, Andi Sullivan and Sanchez, along with Riley Tanner (Panama).