The Houston Dash closed out the 2017 season by snapping a five-game losing streak with a 1-1 draw against FC Kansas City at Swope Soccer Village this evening.
Houston forward Rachel Daly scored her fifth goal of the season in the 52nd minute after she was left unmarked inside the box, drawing the Dash level after an early Kansas City goal. The goal gave Daly the team lead for the season, earning her the club’s Golden Boot award. Midfielder Kristie Mewis found the English forward at the far post for her second assist with the Dash.
Goalkeeper Jane Campbell finished the game with six saves and improved her record in net for the club to 5-9-3 in her rookie campaign. Defender and captain Amber Brooks went the distance today, making her one of just five players in the league to play every minute for their club this season.
The first goal of the game came when FCKC midfielder Desiree Scott found Maegan Kelly at the far post and her header beat Campbell for her fifth goal of the season just nine minutes into the game.
Forward Sydney Leroux almost doubled the Blues’ lead in the 18th minute after she won the ball inside the box, but her shot was saved at the near post after Dash defender Bruna Benites recovered to support Campbell at the goal line.
Dash midfielder Caity Heap made her first start of the season and almost equalized in the 29th
Minute after she created space at the edge of the box, but her shot just missed the inside corner of the far post.
Daly forced a save in the 37th minute after her shot from the edge of the box was handled by FCKC goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart at the near post. The forward was inches away from equalizing once again five minutes later after she got on the end of a cross from midfielder Cari Roccaro at the far post but her effort went wide for a goal kick.
Dash forward Nichelle Prince forced a goal-line save moments before the end of the first half after she took advantage of a mistimed pass inside the box. The Canadian international got past Barnhart but her effort was cleared by Sidney Miramontez.
Second half substitute Sarah Hagen was inches away from her third goal for the Dash after she controlled a long ball from team captain Amber Brooks outside the box. The Dash forward dribbled away from a defender but her shot went wide of the bottom corner of the far post.
Houston’s final scoring opportunity came in the 89th minute after defender Cami Levin and Hagen combined for a one-two outside the box. Levin dribbled into the box but her shot was saved by a diving Barnhart.
