The Houston Dash extended their unbeaten run to five consecutive matches with a 5-0 win over the Orlando Pride tonight at PNC Stadium. The win was Houston’s biggest since a 6-1 victory over Sky Blue FC on August 25, 2018.
Forward Nichelle Prince recorded the first hat trick in Houston Dash history to lead the way, scoring in the 27th, 39th and 49th minutes. It was her first professional hat trick and her second overall. She scored three times on the international level for Canada in 2016 against Guatemala in a World Cup qualifying match which was, coincidentally, played at PNC Stadium.
Prince opened the scoring in the 27th minute after making a run through the right side and beating the Orlando goalkeeper with a low shot toward the back post. An Orlando defender slid to try and clear the ball off the line, but the effort was in vain as the ball hit the back of the net.
Five minutes later, forward Maria Sanchez played a long diagonal ball from the left flank that found forward Rachel Daly running through the middle of the Pride defense. Daly launched herself at the ball from the top of the penalty area and timed her diving header perfectly for the second goal of the night and her third goal in as many games.
Prince scored her second of the night in the 39th, this time attacking down the left flank. She raced to the endline and cut back onto her right foot before firing a shot on goal that deflected off an Orlando defender and into the back of the net to give Houston a 3-0 lead going into halftime.
Coming out of intermission, Prince remained hot, completing her hat trick with a chipped effort from inside the penalty area just four minutes into the second half.
Forward Michelle Alozie put the finishing touches on the match in the 87th minute when she slotted home the first goal of her NWSL career after receiving a perfectly placed through ball from midfielder Shea Groom to put the Dash up 5-0.
In addition to the stellar offensive output by Houston, goalkeeper Jane Campbell recorded her second straight shutout, which was the third of her season and the 19th of her career.
The Dash face a quick turnaround as they travel to Los Angeles to take on the expansion side Angel City FC on Tuesday, June 7 for the first meeting between the two clubs. Kickoff is slated for 9:00 p.m. CT, and fans can stream the match on Paramount+ and internationally on Twitch.
