Racing Louisville FC has broken its ninth-place curse, securing a playoff spot with Ella Hase's first professional goal.

What happened?

The 23-year-old winger scored in the second half, helping her team win and propel into seventh place. Racing Louisville FC will face the No. 2 Washington Spirit in the quarterfinal round.

Why it matters for Racing Louisville FC

This season has been a rollercoaster for the team, with midfielder Savannah DeMelo's medical incidents and coach Bev Yanez's personal struggles. Despite these challenges, the team has flourished under Yanez's guidance. | Stat | Value | | --- | --- | | Final position | 7th | | Opponent | Washington Spirit | | Quarterfinal date | Saturday |

What comes next?

Racing Louisville FC will travel to Washington, D.C. to face the Spirit on Saturday at noon ET on CBS. Coach Yanez will become the first person to have played and coached in the NWSL postseason. The team's win has given them a favorable position, avoiding No. 1 Kansas City Current in the quarterfinal round.