BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. (March 23, 2025) – The Houston Dash earned their first victory of the 2025 season with a 2-1 triumph on the road over Chicago Stars FC earlier today. This victory also marked the first triumph for head coach Fabrice Gautrat.
Chicago took the lead in the 17th minute after Jameese Joseph won a duel just outside the box and found the bottom corner of the near post.
The Dash equalized in the 19th minute following a corner kick. Midfielder Barbara Olivieri found midfielder Sophie Schmidt inside the box, the Canadian international played the ball toward the back post for an oncoming Messiah Bright. The ball bounced off the TCU alum to Paige Nielsen, who was well positioned to score her first goal of the season.
Midfielder Evelina Duljan recovered the ball moments after entering the match for the go-ahead goal. The Swedish international played the ball into the box for midfielder Delanie Sheehan and the midfielder found rookie midfielder Maggie Graham for her second goal of the season.
Dash captain Jane Campbell made her first save of the match in the fifth minute after she denied Joseph at the near post. The Dash goalkeeper finished with five saves against Chicago.
Houston was denied by the post in the 13th minute after defender Avery Patterson found Olivieri inside the box. The Venezuelan international made contact with the cross but her effort bounced off the post and was soon cleared by the Chicago backline. Moments later forward Ryan Gareis just missed the inside of the near post with a shot from outside the box.
Houston’s first opportunity of the second half came off the right foot of Gareis, but her effort bounced off the far post. Moments later Houston won the ball outside the box and Olivieri took a shot from the edge of the box, but her effort went over the crossbar.
Houston’s search for a third goal generated a corner kick in the final minutes of regulation. The cross was cleared by Chicago, but midfielder Danielle Colaprico was well positioned to capitalize on the loose ball. She brought the ball down inside the box, but her effort was off target.
The team returns to Shell Energy Stadium on Friday, March 28 for She Shines Night. Tickets for the match are available on SeatGeek.
