The Houston Dash returned to league action after a two week delay this evening, dropping a tight 1-0 game to Seattle Reign FC at Toyota Stadium.
Seattle FW Beverly Yanez earned her second assist of the season in the 49th minute when she found MF Merritt Mathias making a run into the box. The defender beat Dash GK Jane Campbell with a shot to the far post.
Seattle earned a penalty kick in the ninth minute after DF Bruna Benites brought down Seattle DF Rebekah Stott inside the box. MF Jess Fishlock took the penalty kick, but her effort was saved by Campbell, her first penalty kick save of the season.
Houston FW Janine Beckie forced a save in the 27th minute after she beat a defender in the box, but her shot was pulled down by her former teammate GK Lydia Williams.
Two minutes later DF Cami Levin found MF Kristie Mewis inside the box, but her header went wide of the near post. Mewis made her debut after joining the club on Thursday via a trade prior to the league roster freeze.
Fishlock forced another save in the 31st minute after FW Naho Kawasumi took advantage of a defensive error and found her teammate at the edge of the box. The Seattle captain's shot was saved by Campbell at the near post.
Houston’s best opportunity in the first half came in the 42nd minute after MF Andressinha’s free kick found FW Sarah Hagen inside the six yard box. The forward made contact but her effort went wide of the near post.
Beckie almost equalized in the 55th minute she controlled a cross from FW Nichelle Prince inside the box. The Canadian international shot with the outside of her right foot but her effort was saved by Williams.
Houston will travel to North Carolina next week as they face the reigning NWSL Champion, the North Carolina Courage, for the first time this season. Houston returns to BBVA Compass Stadium at 7:30 on Saturday, Sept. 23 to host the Chicago Red Stars in the final regular season home game this year.
