The Houston Dash defeated Texas Christian University 1-0 earlier today at Houston Sports Park. Saturday marked the first preseason match of the year for the Dash who opened training camp on Feb. 1
Dash midfielder Shea Groom scored the only goal of the match in the first half. Midfielder Marisa Viggiano found Groom at the top of the box and the Texas A&M alum beat the TCU goalkeeper at the near post for the only goal of the game.
Today’s scrimmage gave some of the new faces on the team their first opportunity to stake a claim for minutes in the upcoming NWSL Challenge Cup. Among the new players on the field today was forward Ryan Gareis, Houston’s only pick in the 2022 NWSL draft, who got the start in the first half.
Dash forward Maria Sanchez and midfielder Sophie Schmidt both played limited minutes after returning from international duty.
The Dash will now prepare to travel to Mexico City for training and a preseason friendly against UNAM Pumas Femenil. This is second time the Dash have traveled to Mexico to for an international friendly against a LigaMX Femenil team.
In 2019 the Dash faced Tigres Femenil in Monterrey during the September FIFA window. The match against Pumas will mark the fourth time the Dash have played a friendly against a LigaMX Femenil team. In 2018, Rayadas de Monterrey traveled to Houston for a friendly match that finished in a 1-1 draw. In 2021, the Dash defeated Tigres Femenil at PNC Stadium on Sept. 19.
The Dash open their competitive calendar with the NWSL Challenge Cup on March 20 when they host the Chicago Red Stars at 6 p.m. CT at PNC Stadium. For the full Challenge Cup schedule, tickets and additional information, visit HoustonDash.com.
