The Houston Dash began their two-game road trip on the East Coast with a 2-2 draw this evening with the Western New York Flash at Sahlen’s Stadium.
Denise O’Sullivan scored the first goal of the game in the 27th minute after a series of rebounds left the ball inside the six-yard box. Morgan Brian found Kealia Ohai along the left flank near the end line, her first touch beat a defender and she found Janine Beckie outside the six-yard box. The forward’s shot was blocked and the rebound fell to O’Sullivan for her second goal of the season.
Lianne Sanderson scored the second goal of the game in the 36th minute. Lynn Williams dribbled to the end line and her cross found Sanderson outside the box for her third goal against the Dash this season.
Ohai scored her fifth goal of the season, a career-high, in the 53rd minute when she dribbled from midfield into the box and her shot curled inside the far post. The team captain has now scored five goals in the last five games.
The final goal of the game came in the 59th minute. Williams’ cross on the left flank found Makenzy Doniak for her third goal of the season.
Houston remains unbeaten in Rochester with a 2-0-1 record and the all-time series is now 4-1-2.
The Flash pressed early with three scoring opportunities in the first six minutes. Sanderson’s side volley missed the top corner of the near post in the first minute and three minutes later Dash goalkeeper Lydia Williams handled a shot from Jessica McDonald who lost her balance as she made contact with the ball. Two minutes later Williams handled a shot from Lynn Williams who generated most of the Flash’s scoring opportunities.
Ohai found Beckie outside the six-yard box in the 40th minute, but her header went over the crossbar.
Sam Mewis forced a save from Williams in the 50th minute with a strike from the edge of the box. The rebound fell to Williams but her shot went wide of the near post.
The final opportunity for the Flash came in the 80th minute when Jaelene Hinkle’s shot was saved at the top corner of the near post by Williams.
The Dash travel to Boston on Wednesday for their final game on the East Coast this season. The Dash return to BBVA Compass Stadium on Sept. 3 to host Alex Morgan and the Orlando Pride.
Houston Dash (3-8-4; 13 points) vs. Western New York Flash (8-5-3, 27 points)
NWSL Regular Season
August 27, 2016 – Sahlen’s Stadium – Rochester, New York
Attendance: 6,449
Scoring Summary:
HOU: Denise O’Sullivan 2 (unassisted) 27
WNY: Lianne Sanderson 3 (Lynn Williams 4) 36
HOU: Kealia Ohai 5 (unassisted) 53
WNY: Makenzy Doniak (Lynn Williams 5) 58
Houston Dash: Lydia Williams; Poliana, Cami Privett, Cari Roccaro, Becca Moros; Andressa Amber Brooks, Denise O’Sullivan, Morgan Brian (Rachel Daly 69); Kealia Ohai ©, Janine Beckie (Stephanie Ochs 90+2)
Unused Substitutes: Bianca Henninger, Chioma Ubogagu, Caity Heap, Ellie Brush, Melissa Henderson
TOTAL SHOTS: 11 (Andressa and Kealia Ohai tied with 3); SHOTS ON GOAL: 5 (Kealia Ohai 3) FOULS: 7 (Rachel Daly 2); OFFSIDES: 2 (Kealia Ohai 2); CORNER KICKS: 1 (Andressa 1); SAVES: 6
Western New York Flash: Sabrina D’Angelo; Liz Eddy (Janice Cayman 85), Abby Dahlkemper, Abby Erceg, Jaelene Hinkle; Sam Mewis; Makenzy Doniak (Taylor Smith 69), Lianne Sanderson, McCall Zerboni; Jessica McDonald, Lynn Williams
Unused Substitutes: Katelyn Rowland, Michaela Hahn, Courtney Niemiec, Meredith Speck, Britt Eckerstrom
TOTAL SHOTS: 14 (Samantha Mewis and Jessica McDonald tied with 3); SHOTS ON GOAL: 8 (Jaelene Hinkle and Jessica McDonald tied with 2) FOULS: 9 (Abby Dahlkemper and McCall Zerboni tied with 2); OFFSIDES: 1 (Jessica McDonald); CORNER KICKS: 8 (Jaelene Hinkle); SAVES: 3
Misconduct Summary:
HOU: Denise O’Sullivan (caution) 41
HOU: Rachel Daly (caution) 86
Referee: Victor Rivas
Assistant Referees: Sean Regan, Abigail Van Note
Fourth Official: Stephen Montanino
