SALT LAKE CITY — Just over an hour before her Washington Spirit took on the Chicago Red Stars Saturday night in the NWSL Challenge Cup in Herriman, former BYU star Ashley Hatch shared on Instagram her thoughts about racial injustice and said she is planning on donating some money earned during the Cup to the NAACP and DC Scores, the latter of which is an organization in Washington that serves youth through soccer.
Noting that she hadn’t said much publicly about the topic since it came to the forefront of the national conversation, Hatch wrote, “I spent a lot time learning, trying to understand, and discussing the issues with those closest to me. I want to be clear that I do my best to love and respect everyone the best way I can because I believe we are all brothers and sisters.”
A member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Hatch wrote, “Because of my beliefs, I have made a promise “to bear one another’s burdens, that they made be light; yea and…to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort.” Lift where you stand, support those individuals who may be hurting or suffering in and out of your circles.”
Hatch then said she will be donating all of her goal bonuses from the monthlong Challenge Cup to the two aforementioned organizations. The NWSL announced that because the Cup will serve as the 2020 season, “teams will be required to pay any such incentives earned based on the terms of the existing contract.”
Saturday’s game can be streamed on CBS All Access (subscription required).