The Houston Dash played NJ/NY Gotham FC to a 1-1 draw at Shell Energy Stadium on Sunday evening.
Houston took the lead in the 36th minute after forward Michelle Alozie and forward María Sánchez combined for the opening goal of the game. Alozie was making a run toward the left side of the goal, the Nigerian international then found Sánchez in front of goal. The Mexican international then flicked the ball into goal for her third of the season.
NJ/NY Gotham FC equalized in the 53rd minute after referee Alex Billeter awarded a penalty kick to the New Jersey based team, which converted the attempt.
In the 10th minute the Dash nearly opened the scoring but Gotham FC goalkeeper Abby Smith was able to intercept the ball before a Dash attacker was able to get on to it.
Goalkeeper Jane Campbell made the first save of the match in the 11th minute of the match. After a shot taken by the NJ/NY Gotham FC attack, Campbell punched the ball away from danger with the backline clearing the ball out. Campbell finished the night with three saves and moved to 39 saves on the season.
Forward Diana Ordóñez had an opportunity to give Houston the lead after breaking free after a pass. The Virginia product was stopped by Smith outside of the box, as the play was developing Ordóñez was called offside.
Alozie nearly scored the go-ahead goal in the 60th minute and forced the Gotham FC goalkeeper to make the save. A minute later, in the 61st minute, Alozie put the ball in the back of the net, but the goal was called off after the ball went out of bounds while in possession with Gotham FC. After a check, the goal was disallowed, and the score remained level.
Houston nearly equalized in the in the 86th minute after a free kick was awarded just outside the 18-yard box on the far side after forward Ryan Gareis was fouled. Forward Cameron Tucker was the closest to the ball that was handled by Smith.
During second half stoppage time, forward Ebony Salmon nearly had her second goal of the season but had her shot blocked by a Gotham FC defender. Dash captain and midfielder Sophie Schmidt was able to get past a few defenders and had her shot hit the woodwork.
Houston will travel to the Burbon State to take on Racing Louisville FC in the 2023 NWSL UKG Challenge Cup on Wednesday, June 14 at 7:00pm CT. The Dash returns to Shell Energy Stadium on Saturday, June 17 to host OL Reign at 7:30pm CT.
