First-year pro’s two-goal performance lifted side to dramatic victory against Fort Lauderdale United at Audi Field
As Tatum Thomason prepared to enter 10 minutes into the second half of DC Power FC’s matinee against Fort Lauderdale United FC on September 22 at Audi Field, she was given a clear message from Head Coach Omid Namazi.
“One of the last things he told to me before I came in was, on crosses, come inside, don’t hang out wide, because you’re not going to make a play on the ball to score from out wide,” said Thomason. “So that’s the only thing going through my head – get to the back post.”
For the first-year pro, the advice proved priceless.
In the 62nd minute, the 22-year-old moved in unmarked on the right side of the penalty area as her teammates built down the left, with Emily Colton setting up a simple opening goal in the professional ranks for Thomason after drawing the goalkeeper and playing the ball across the top of the six-yard area.
Then, with a minute to go, Thomason ensured her side went home with all three points as her looping back-post header from Mak Witham’s cross from the left sailed over the goalkeeper and over the line to earn the Power a 2-1 victory, bolstering its early-season position in the Gainbridge Super League standings.
For her performance, Thomason has been selected as September’s Prinx Impact Sub of the Month in the Gainbridge Super League, a series highlighting key substitutions that have changed the course of a game this season.
An Arizona native, Thomason arrived for her first professional campaign after last competing for Arizona State University, where she led the side with seven goals and earned Pac-12 All-Conference Second Team honors as a senior.
Her first goals in the professional ranks arrived in her seventh appearance for the Power, and moved the side into its current second-place position in the Super League standings.
“I was so happy,” said Thomason. “I mean, it was a great ball [from Witham]. … Honestly, I was trying to redirect it back across for somebody, but it just worked out. It was a great team goal, honestly, from back to front.”
As DC looks for its first trip to the postseason in the Super League’s Fall Season, Thomason could have a key role to play.
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