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Every week, across several sports, players around the DMV (D.C./Maryland/Virginia) shine in individual performance. Every Monday, I’d like to take a minute to highlight some of those performances, including what I view as the best performance and name that athlete the “DMV Star of the Week.”
This week’s DMV Star’s of the Week is Washington Spirit Goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury.
The Washington Spirit punched its ticket to the NWSL Final on Saturday with a dramatic come-from-behind victory over Gotham FC.
The Spirit fell behind in the 56th minute before equalizing at the death in the 93rd to make it 1-1, sending the match into extra time.
Eventually, the match ended up in a penalty shootout; that’s where Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury took over.
As Washington converted three straight penalties, Kingsbury saved three in a row, all of which were low and to her right. The third save was the decisive one, ending the match and sending the Spirit to the final in Kansas City next Saturday.
“I think it's more just the confidence and having the fans behind me. I was really trying to get them into it because I knew that would give us a great advantage for their penalty takers coming up and trying to make one in front of that wall of fans,” Kingsbury said following the match.
It was a frenzied crowd at Audi Field on Saturday. I know, I was there. Big reason why was Kingsbury’s heroics to send her team to the final for the first time since 2021 and third time in club history.
The DMV saw 11 teams in action this past week, including the Washington Commanders, Washington Wizards, Washington Capitals, Washington Spirit, the Howard and Maryland football teams, as well as the Georgetown, George Washington, Maryland, Howard, and American basketball teams.
Here are some honorable mention performances for DMV Star of the Week:
Washington Wizards guard Jordan Poole dropped 42 points in Wednesday’s 139-130 loss to San Antonio.
Washington Commanders Linebacker Frankie Luvu had 2 sacks in Thursday’s 26-18 loss to Philadelphia.
Washington Spirit Midfielder Hal Hershfelt scored the game-tying goal in the 93rd minute of Saturday’s NWSL semifinal victory for Washington.
Maryland football wide receiver Tai Felton had 9 catches for 104 yards in Saturday’s loss to Minnesota.
Maryland basketball guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie and forward Derik Queen each scored 24 points in 36 minutes in the Terps’ 78-74 loss to #15 Marquette on Friday night.
George Washington forward Darren Buchanan had 20 points and 11 rebounds in Tuesday’s 85-80 win over North Carolina A&T.
Here’s what’s coming up this week in DMV Sports:
Washington Commanders (7-4, 2nd in NFC East)
11/24 vs. Dallas
Washington Wizards (2-10, 14th in Eastern Conference)
11/18 @ New York
11/22 vs. Boston (NBA Cup - Group Stage)
11/24 @ Indiana
Washington Capitals (12-4-1, 20 points - 3rd in Metropolitan Division)
11/18 @ Utah
11/21 vs. Colorado
11/23 @ New Jersey
Washington Spirit (18-2-6 overall, 56 points, 2nd in NWSL)
11/23 vs. Orlando Pride (NWSL FINAL - CPKC Stadium - Kansas City, MO)
Maryland Terrapins Football (4-6 overall, 1-6,17th in Big 10)
11/23 vs. Iowa
Howard Bison Football (4-7 overall, 1-3, 5th in MEAC)
11/23 @ Morgan State
Maryland Terrapins Basketball (3-1 overall, 0-0, T-1st in Big 10)
11/19 vs. Canisius
11/24 vs. Villanova (neutral site)
Georgetown Hoyas (2-1 overall, 0-0, T-1st in Big East)
*11/20 vs. Mount St. Mary’s
*11/23 vs. Saint Francis PA
George Washington Revolutionaries (3-0 overall, 0-0, T-1st in Atlantic 10)
*11/18 vs. NJIT
11/22 vs. Kansas State (Paradise Jam - U.S. Virgin Islands)
11/23 vs. TBD (Paradise Jam - U.S. Virgin Islands)
11/24 vs. TBD (Paradise Jam - U.S. Virgin Islands)
Howard Bison Basketball (2-2 overall, 0-0, T-1st in MEAC)
11/18 @ FIU
11/24 vs. Boston U
American University Eagles (1-3 overall, 0-0, T-1st in Patriot)
11/18 @ High Point
11/22 vs. UMKC
11/23 vs. PR-Mayaguez
11/24 @ Albany
*Denotes games I will be covering in-person
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