The Houston Dash earned their first victory of the 2018 season with a 3-2 win over Sky Blue FC at Yurcak Field this evening. The win was head coach Vera Pauw's first with the club.
Forward Nichelle Prince scored Houston’s first goal since opening day when she put away a rebound inside the six-yard box in the 24th minute for her first goal of the season. The play began on a corner kick from midfielder Kristie Mewis that was salvaged at the end line by the hustle of defender Lindsay Agnew, making her first start of the season.
Sky Blue equalized in the 57th minute after forward Shea Groom created space to dribble inside the box and find forward Katylyn Johnson inside the six-yard box for her first goal of the season.
Houston responded three minutes later when forward Rachel Daly sent a cross into the box that was mishandled by Sky Blue goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan, allowing the ball to fall into the net for an own goal.
Johnson scored her second goal of the game in the 73rd minute after her header beat Campbell at the far post. The play began with a short corner kick from Sky Blue, who combined four passes to get into the box and to midfielder Sarah Killion for her first assist of the season.
Houston got off to a fast start as team captain KealiaOhai forced a save in the second minute with a shot from the edge of the six yard box.
Sky Blue midfielder Carli Lloyd forced a save from Dash goalkeeper Jane Campbell in the seventh minute with a shot on goal from outside the box. This was the first time Lloyd and fellow Sky Blue forward Janine Beckie faced the Dash since an offseason trade which sent the duo to the Garden State.
Daly forced a save in the 21st minute with a shot near the penalty spot that was inches away from the inside of the near post. This was the first game Daly started as a forward after spending the majority of the first five games as a fullback.
Daly nearly scored her first goal of the season in the 68th minute after she forced a save from Sheridan in a one-on-one duel outside the six-yard box.
Houston returns to BBVA Compass Stadium at 7 p.m. on Wednesday to host the reigning NWSL Champion, Portland Thorns FC, for 90s Night. Tickets start at $19 and are available at HoustonDashSoccer.com
