Washington Spirit midfielder Estefania Banini was voted NWSL Player of the Month for the month of July. She helped lead the Spirit to a 4-1-0 (W-L-T) record during the month. She scored four goals and was named NWSL Player of the Week for Week 13.
Banini on fire during July
Banini, 26, scored four goals during the month of July, scoring in three of the Spirit’s five games. She is currently tied for fourth in the league with five goals scored this season. In all three games that she scored last month, they were the first goal of the game. She also scored the game-winning goal against the Chicago Red Stars on July 9th in their 2-0 victory.
NWSL Player of the Week
Banini was voted the NWSL Player of the Week after she scored a brace in their week 13 encounter against FC Kansas City. Her two goals helped lead the Spirit to a 3-2 win over the two-time defending champions. It was the first time she has been named NWSL Player of the Week in her career and she became the ninth Washington player to receive the honor.
Banini scored all goals with her feet and early
All five goals that she scored in July, all came from her feet. Three of the goals came from the run of play while the other two game from set pieces. Of the five goals she has scored this season, four have come during the first 45 minutes of the game and the Spirit are 4-0-0 when she scores.
First time named NWSL Player of the Month
This is the first time in Banini NWSL career, two years, that she has been named NWSL Player of the Month. She becomes just the second player to be named so. Crystal Dunn was named Player of the Month in August 2015.
What’s next?
The Spirit will hit the road on Thursday, August 18th and take on the Houston Dash at BBVA Compass Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:00 pm ET.
The NWSL Player of the Month is selected each month of the regular season by the NWSL Media Association, a collection of press that cover the league on a consistent basis. For more information on the NWSL Media Association.