The Houston Dash fell 1-0 to the North Carolina Courage in their first meeting of the regular season this evening at WakeMed Soccer Park.
Former Dash forward Jessica McDonald found defender Abby Erceg inside the box in the 26th minute with a long toss and her header fell to Kristen Hamilton who scored her third goal of the season.
Goalkeeper Jane Campbell came up with her first big save of the game in the 21st minute after she cleared a shot at the goal line from Abby Dahlkemper. Midfielder Samantha Mewis crossed the ball that initially found Dahlkemper but her first attempt was blocked by a Dash defender inside the six yard box.
Forward Sarah Hagen almost equalized in the 48th minute with shot that was saved in the bottom corner of the near post by Katelyn Rowland.
McDonald was denied by the near post in the 50th minute after she pounced on a loose ball inside the box. The forward won the ball after defender Janine Van Wyk attempted to clear forward Lynn Williams’ cross at the near post.
Campbell was tested again in the 72nd minute as she shuffled to the far post as Williams found Ashley Hatch inside the six yard box. The keeper denied Hatch as she dove to the near post with her feet and clutched the ball before an oncoming Courage player reached the second ball.
Houston returns to BBVA Compass Stadium at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23 to host the Chicago Red Stars. Tickets begin at $17 and are available at HoustonDashSoccer.com.
