The Houston Dash earned their second win in five days, topping the Washington Spirit 3-2 in front of 4,045 fans at BBVA Compass Stadium this evening. The win capped an excellent month for the club, as they picked up three wins and two draws in six games in May.
A brace from FW Rachel Daly and FW KealiaOhai’s first goal in more than a year powered Houston to victory.
Daly gave Houston the lead seconds into first-half stoppage time. FW Nichelle Prince controlled a pass from MF Melana Shim outside the box and dribbled to get free before finding Daly sprinting unmarked at the far post for her third goal of the year and first at home.
Ohai scored her first goal since April 29, 2017 to put the Dash up 2-0 just seconds into the second half. She picked up the ball along the right flank and initially tried to slip a pass down the line to a teammate, only to have her pass blocked by the Washington defense. The rebound came back to her and Ohai cut in on her left foot and fired a curling left-footed shot that beat Spirit GK Aubrey Bledsoe to her far post.
Washington cut the lead in half in the 54th minute when DF Taylor Smith found MF Estefania Banini unmarked inside the box. The midfielder beat Dash goalkeeper Jane Campbell with a shot to the far post. The goal came three minutes after Campbell notched her second penalty kick save of the season when she stopped Washington FW Mallory Pugh’s spot kick in the 51st.
Daly put the game away when she doubled her tally on a breakaway in the 78th minute. MF Linda Motlhalo won a loose ball near midfield and put FW Thembi Kgatlana into space behind the Washington back line. The South African international rounded Bledsoe 30 yards from goal and played a pass into the path of Daly, who walked the ball into the net to complete her first professional brace.
Washington made one last push in second-half stoppage time. In the first minute of added time, FW Ashley Hatch capitalized on a loose pass in Houston's defensive third. Campbell came off her line and attempted to smother the ball, but Hatch was able to poke it past her and into the back of the net.
The Houston win came in spite of a pair of early injuries forced head coach Vera Pauw to reshuffle her midfield. Shim was a surprise starter after MF Kyah Simon was ruled out due to tightness in her right groin during pregame warmups. MF Kristie Mewis left the game with a left knee injury in the 19th minute attempting to close down on a defender outside of Houston's 18 yard box. Additional updates will follow after further evaluation from the Dash medical staff.
Houston returns to BBVA Compass Stadium next Sunday at 5:30 p.m. to host the first place North Carolina Courage for their second meeting of the regular season. Tickets start at $19 and are available here.
