DC Power FC dropped a close match on the road to Spokane Zephyr by a 3-2 scoreline Saturday afternoon. Second half goals by Anna Bagley and Gianna Gourley were not enough as a last minute Emina Ekic free kick was the difference.

The match was back and forth to start, with DC Power getting a couple of early chances on goal. However, it was Spokane that got on the board first when Emma Jaskaniec was able to feed Katie Murray in the center of the box. She slotted a low shot home to make it 1-0 to the home team, a score which carried until after halftime.

To start the second half, DC Power subbed on Loza Abera, Katrina Guillou, and Anna Bagley to try and change the momentum, and the subs were able to make a difference quickly. Five minutes in, Emily Colton was able to put a shot on goal off a Loza Abera through ball, which was saved by Spokane’s Hope Hisey. However, Anna Bagley was there with the putback to equalize for DC Power.

In the 63rd minute, DC Power struck again. Loza Abera on the break was able to get a pass to Gianna Gourley, who finished with a chip of the keeper from outside the box for her second goal in 3 games with the club.

However, that lead was short lived, as a couple minutes later, Anna Bagley was called for a handball inside their own penalty area, conceding a penalty kick. Spokane’s Emina Ekic converted the penalty to level the score at 2-2.

With both teams in the bottom 2 spots in the USL Super League table, both teams continued to press for the goal and the vital three points to keep pace with the rest of the league in the race for the playoffs. Because of that, there were a few more chances on both sides to try and get the winning goal. However, the match remained tied until second half stoppage time.

In the second minute of second half stoppage, Gianna Gourley was called for a foul on a 50/50 ball about 30 yards from goal. From there, Emina Ekic was able to send the free kick past the wall into the net in the third minute of stoppage time to win it for Spokane.

After the match, interim head coach Phil Nana was disappointed with having to leave with no points and said they have to figure out how to regain their confidence after losing in such heartbreaking fashion. The loss leaves DC Power at the bottom of the USL Super League standings, 13 points below the playoff line. The team returns to Audi Field next Sunday to host Brooklyn FC.