The Houston Dash fell 5-0 to the North Carolina Courage at Sahlen’s Stadium this evening in the final match of the regular season for both clubs. The Dash finished with a 9-10-5 record, the best mark in franchise history.
The Courage scored their first goal of the evening after DF Abby Erceg found FW Jessica McDonald outside the box. The forward dribbled into the six yard box and beat Dash GK Jane Campbell at the near post for her seventh goal of the season.
FW Crystal Dunn doubled North Carolina’s lead in the 26th minute after a series of rebounds fell to the U.S. Women’s National Team forward for her eight goal of the season.
McDonald found FW Lynn Williams in the 44th minute for the final goal of the first half. Williams dribbled around a defender and beat the Dash goalkeeper with a low shot to the far post.
Williams scored her second goal of the evening in the 57th evening off a cross from McDonald.
The final goal of the evening came in the 70th minute after second-half substitute Kristen Hamilton raced past two Dash defenders and beat the goalkeeper at the near post.
Houston was denied of their first goal of the evening in the 9th minute after FW Kealia Ohai found MF Sofia Huerta at the near post. The midfielder’s shot was blocked by a sliding challenge from Erceg at the edge of the six yard box.
FW Nichelle Prince forced a save in the 74th minute with a shot from the top of the box that was punched over the crossbar by Courage GK Katelyn Rowland.
