Mallory Pugh scored one goal and created another for Washington. (Andy Mead/YCJ Photo)

CHICAGO – Washington Spirit forward Mallory Pugh was voted the National Women’s Soccer League player of the week by the NWSL Media Association for the second week of the season.

Pugh, 19, scored the game-winning goal and was instrumental in creating the second to lead the Spirit to a 2-0 home victory, its first of the season, over the Orlando Pride at the Maryland SoccerPlex.

The Highlands Ranch, Colo. native ran onto a header from Ashley Hatch near midfield and proceeded to drive at the Pride defense. At the top of the box, Pugh cut to the outside creating an angle for herself and calmly slotted it past goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris for a 1-0 advantage in the 80th minute. (Watch highlights)

That set the stage for Pugh to return the favor in the 88th minute as her centering pass from the end line forced a defensive miscue by the Pride and the ball fell fortuitously to the feet of Hatch, who smashed a first-time shot into the back of the net. (Watch highlights)

It is the first time Pugh has been honored as player of the week and the 13th time a Spirit player has won the award.

The Washington Spirit will return to action against the North Carolina Courage at Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, Md. Saturday, April 14 at 7 p.m. ET.

The NWSL Player of the Week is selected each week of the regular season by the NWSL Media Association, a collection of writers that cover the league on a consistent basis.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.