The Houston Dash jumped out to an early lead, but two second-half goals pushed the visiting Utah Royals FC to a 2-1 victory this evening at BBVA Compass Stadium.
The Dash struck first when MF Sofia Huerta drove a free kick that found FW Veronica Latsko at the far post in the 41st minute and Latsko’s headed a shot back across the face of goal to beat Royals GK Nicole Barnhart, despite Barnhart getting a touch on the ball. Huerta drew a foul near midfield and took the ensuing free kick to tally her third assist of the season.
Houston had several opportunities to extend the lead early in the second half, including a flurry of chances that resulted in six shots over a five-minute span around the hour mark. Utah FW Christen Press equalized for the visitors in the 77th minute after she pounced on a loose ball inside the box and slipped a low shot past Dash GK Jane Campbell.
The Dash continued to control the flow of play after the goal, generating three more chances in short order, highlighted by a right-footed shot from MF Thembi Kgatlana that forced a save from Barnhart in the 82nd minute, but none were able to find the back of the net.
Utah pulled ahead a minute after Kgatlana’s shot when MF Erika Tymrak chipped a ball behind the Dash back line and FW Katie Stengel ran onto it and lofted a shot over Campbell and under the crossbar.
Kgatlana and Huerta each had solid looks at goal as the Dash drove forward in search of a late equalizer, but both players’ efforts slid just wide of the target.
Houston travels to the Garden State next weekend as they face Carli Lloyd and Sky Blue FC for the second time this season at Yurcak Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. and will be streamed live at NWSLSoccer.com.
