The Houston Dash rallied for their first-ever victory at OL Reign earlier today thanks to a pair of goals in the span of two minutes from forward Ebony Salmon.
Houston’s 2-1 victory at Lumen Field was their third under interim head coach Juan Carlos Amorós and became the first manager in league history to win their first three league matches at the helm of a team.
Today’s victory snapped a 10-game winless streak on the road against OL Reign. The Dash entered today’s match with a 0-8-2 record on the road against the Reign. Today’s victory was also Houston’s fifth away from home, the most in a single season in team history.
OL Reign took the lead in the 16th minute after midfielder Kim Little switched play and found Megan Rapinoe at the back post. The USWNT veteran chested the ball down onto her left foot and beat the Dash goalkeeper at the far post with a low volley to the far post from just inside the penalty area.
Houston equalized in the 53rd minute after Salmon converted a penalty kick. The Dash were awarded the penalty after OL Reign midfielder Quinn was called for a handball inside the penalty area. Salmon, who was recently honored as the NWSL Player of the Month for July after she tallied four goals in four games for Houston, buried the penalty for her fifth goal in as many games with the Dash. She joined the Dash on June 27 in a trade with Racing Louisville FC.
The Dash netted the eventual game-winner just two minutes later after forward Nichelle Prince won the ball at midfield. The ball was ultimately controlled by Dash midfielder Shea Groom, who played a perfectly weighted pass to Salmon inside the box. The 21-year-old found the inside of the near post for her sixth goal of the season.
OL Reign nearly doubled their lead in the 30th minute but Sofia Huerta’s effort from outside the box hit the bottom of the far post. The ball ultimately fell to Jess Fishlock, but her effort was saved by goalkeeper Jane Campbell. The Dash shot stopper finished with five saves against the Reign today.
Defender Haley Hanson found Prince at the top of the box in the 61st minute and the Canadian international dribbled away from a defender to force a save from the Reign goalkeeper.
The Dash return to Houston after two back-to-back road trips to host Racing Louisville FC on Aug. 12. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. CT and tickets are available at HoustonDash.com.
