Defender Bruna Benites and midfielder Amber Brooks led Houston to a 2-1 comeback victory over the U-23 U.S. Women’s National Team at Providence Park in the first game of the Thorns Spring Invitational presented by Tillamook.
U-23 USWNT forward Savannah McCaskill scored the first goal of the game in the 74th minute when she capitalized on a rebound inside the six yard box. Dash goalkeeper Bianca Henninger saved McCaskill’s initial shot but the forward pounced on the loose ball with a shot that snuck inside of the near post.
Benites scored her first goal for the club in the 89th minute when she redirected a 40-yard cross from Brooks outside the six yard box. The defender’s first touch sent goalkeeper Casey Murphy in the opposite direction allowing the Brazilian to equalize the match.
Brooks scored the game-winning goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time when she beat Murphy with a header at the near post. Forward Stephanie Ochs provided the service from a corner kick after coming on as a substitute in the in the 68th minute.
Murphy kept the U-23 USWNT in the match with a handful of saves where she denied multiple scoring opportunities against the Houston front line. The goalkeeper finished with nine saves compared to Henninger who finished with three.
Houston will face the Chicago Red Stars on Wednesday in their second match of the Thorns Spring Invitational presented by Tillamook. Houston will also face the Red Stars in the opening weekend of the NWSL season at 1 p.m. on April 15 at BBVA Compass Stadium.
