The Washington Spirit were losing a playoff semifinal before most of Audi Field had sat down. Utah's Cloé Lacasse scored from long range in the second minute on Saturday, straight off a corner kick.

What Washington did with the next 88 minutes is the story. The Spirit took 19 shots to Utah's 10, earned 11 corners to six, held 59.5 percent of the ball and won 2-1 on a 56th-minute goal from Clara Luvanga. ESPN noted it sends the Spirit to the NWSL Championship for the third year in a row.

Sofia Cantore Tied It in the Eighth Minute Off a Trinity Rodman Pass

The deficit lasted six minutes. Trinity Rodman found Sofia Cantore at close range, and Cantore's left-footed finish made it 1-1 in the eighth minute. Cantore led all players with five shots, three of them on goal.

Luvanga's winner came early in the second half, a left-footed shot from the right side of the box into the far corner. It was one of only two shots she took all afternoon.

The match drew 19,215, according to the ESPN match page.

Utah Made 37 Clearances and Mandy McGlynn Made Four Saves

Utah spent most of the day defending. The Royals cleared the ball 37 times, Washington only 12, and goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn stopped four of the six shots that reached her. At the other end, Spirit keeper Sandy MacIver was credited with one save.

The Royals also lost midfielder Madison Hammond to an injury in the 52nd minute, four minutes before the winner.

Washington's opponent in the final will be the winner of Sunday's other semifinal, Kansas City Current at Gotham FC, at 3 p.m. ET on ABC. More women's soccer coverage is on the BallerTube NWSL page.