The Houston Dash extended their unbeaten run to three straight games and earned a positive result for the sixth time in their last seven games with a 1-1 draw against the North Carolina Courage tonight at BBVA Compass Stadium.
FW Kealia Ohai gave Houston the lead in the 49th minute after a long pass from GK Jane Campbell sprung the speedy forward past a Courage defender into the box. Ohai's shot to the far post beat Courage GK Katelyn Rowland for Houston's first goal in the series.
North Carolina equalized in the 80th minute when MF Frannie Crouse put a loose ball into the back of the net from six yards away. The play began with a ball out wide to the right flank, where before it was whipped back into a crowd of players at the six-yard box. The initial service was knocked down by the Houston defense, but Crouse was first to the ball.
MF Kyah Simon and FW Rachel Daly linked up twice in the first 10 minutes to test Rowland. Daly found Simon unmarked outside the penalty area and the Australian international forced a save with a shot to the bottom corner of the near post.
Four minutes later Simon returned the favor with a pass that split two Courage defenders. Daly's effort forced Rowland off her line but the forward's effort went wide of the far post.
Ohai's speed was on display again as she dribbled into the box, turned a defender to generate space but her effort was wide of the near post.
Campbell was called into action in the 29th minute after Jess McDonald's throw-in found DF Abby Erceg inside the box. The New Zealand international flicked the ball across goal but Campbell was well positioned to win the ball. Houston returns to BBVA Compass Stadium on June 22 to host Tobin Heath, Lindsay Horan and the reigning NWSL champion Portland Thorns FC. Tickets for the match start at $19 and are available here.
