The Houston Dash fell 3-2 to the Chicago Red Stars this evening to split the two games played at BBVA Compass Stadium this year.
Jen Hoy scored the first goal of the game in the 12th minute after she capitalized on a loose ball inside the box. Defender Casey Short found Hoy making a run but her header was saved by Dash goalkeeper Jane Campbell. The rebound fell to Hoy inside the six yard box unmarked for her second goal of the season.
Defender Casey Short doubled Chicago’s lead in the 20th minute after she beat Campbell at the far post off a corner kick. The goalkeeper attempted to bring down the ball but lost control, leaving the ball to Short who finished from a tight angle inside the six yard box.
Captain Amber Brooks scored her first goal of the season in the 24th minute after she converted a penalty kick drawn by midfielder Kristie Mewis. The midfielder was taken down inside the box by midfielder Julie Ertz.
Brooks was called for a handball inside the box two minutes into first half stoppage time after she attempted to win the ball at the end line. Forward Christen Press converted the penalty kick for her 11th goal of the season.
Forward Rachel Daly brought Houston within one as her diving header beat Alyssa Naeher at the near post in the 86th minute. Mewis found the forward with a long-pass from the opposite end of the field.
Midfielder Vanessa Di Bernardo forced a save from Campbell in the 30th minute with a long-range shot from outside the box. The goalkeeper finished the game with six saves.
Midfielder Andressinha returned from international play in Australia this week and forced a save from Naeher off a free kick that evaded the wall but fell short of the top corner of the near post in the 64th minute. Two minutes later Daly’s long-range effort was handled by the keeper at the near post ending one of Houston’s best stretch in the beginning of the second half.
Houston returns to league action on Wednesday, Sept. 27 as they host the North Carolina Courage at H-E-B Park in Edinburg, Texas for their final home game of the regular season. Tickets for the match are available at hebparkrgv.com.
