The Houston Dash extended its unbeaten run on the road to five games after midfielder Elizabeth Eddy finished with a brace in the 4-3 victory over North Carolina at WakeMed Soccer Park earlier today.
With the victory, the Dash have now earned 11 points from a possible 15 away from home. Houston also ends the week in fourth place with 15 points, just three points shy from San Diego Wave FC in first place.
Both teams combined for five goals in a 13-minute stretch at the beginning of the second half. This was the second time this season Houston has scored four or more goals in a game and the first time they reach that mark away from home.
North Carolina scored the opening goal of the game early in the match after Denise O’Sullivan found the back of the net with an effort from outside the box in the fifth minute of the game.
Dash forward Maria Sanchez scored the equalizer less than 10 minutes later for her first regular season goal of the year. Midfielder Shea Groom intercepted a pass in the Courage’s half of the field and found the Idaho native at the edge of the box. Sanchez was unmarked and in prime position to beat Casey Murphy at the bottom corner of the near post.
The second half flurry began with back-to-back goals from Eddy, who scored the go-ahead goal two minutes into the second half. That was her first tally since 2019 while with NJ/NY Gotham FC. Houston was awarded a free kick that was initially cleared by Kaleigh Kurtz, the rebound fell to Eddy who snuck a ball through traffic for her first goal of the game.
Eddy scored again three minutes later from open play off an assist from Sanchez. The Dash forward played a ball wide to Eddy, who beat the goalkeeper with a first-time shot toward the far post.
Forward Nichelle Prince scored the game-winning goal in the 51st minute after she dribbled into the box, past a defender and curled a shot inside the far post. Prince now leads the team in scoring with five goals this season. The Canadian forward is one of six players that will depart for national team duty for the upcoming FIFA window.
North Carolina quickly responded with back-to-back goals from Diana Ordonez and Debinha to cut Houston’s lead to 4-3.
Houston had a chance in the 30-minute mark when Houston got into the six-yard box. Defender Haley Hanson headed a ball across the face of goal for Groom, who narrowly missed tipping the ball into the back of the net for the lead.
The Dash return to league play on July 1 when they host the Kansas City Current at 7:30 p.m. CT at PNC Stadium for 713 Night. Tickets start at $7 and will be available at HoustonDash.com.
