The Houston Dash fell to the San Diego Wave FC, 3-0, on Saturday evening at Shell Energy Stadium.
Defender Allysha Chapman was honored pregame for accomplishing the 100 NWSL career appearances milestone on May 12 against Portland Thorns FC.
San Diego scored in the second minute of the match after USWNT and San Diego Wave forward Alex Morgan forced a miscue on defense.
Midfielder Joelle Anderson had an open look in the eighth minute that nearly equalized the match. Anderson’s strike from nearly 20-yards out sailed just above the crossbar.
Forward Michelle Alozie applied pressure in the 19th minute from the left side that led to a shot off target.
Anderson had another shot from the nearside in the 29th minute that appeared to give the Dash an opening to level the game.
Houston nearly equalized in the 40th minute after two close attempts inside the box. Alozie found forward Ebony Salmon on the right side of the goal. Salmon’s shot forced Wave goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan to make a save at the near post. The Dash recovered in the box and found forward María Sánchez whose chip shot sailed over the goal.
Goalkeeper Jane Campbell made a key save in the first minute of stoppage time after Morgan found space at took a shot on goal. Campbell was able to punch the ball out and the Houston defense was able to clear the ball out. Campbell made four saves in the loss.
In the fourth minute of first half stoppage time, Sánchez who was standing on the line of the six-yard box, was unable to connect with the ball.
Houston earned a free kick in the 55th minute of the match after captain and midfielder Sophie Schmidt was fouled.
San Diego extended its lead in the 58th after a lengthy review by the video assistant referee.
Forward Diana Ordóñez, who returned to the lineup after missing the last game, had a shot in the 63rd minute that was off target.
In the 79th minute, San Diego added its third goal of the night.
Ordóñez nearly spoiled the clean sheet for San Diego in the 90+7 minute of the match after her shot was blocked following a defensive player’s interception.
Houston will travel to the Midwest to take on the Kansas City Current for the first time in regular season play on May 26 at 7:00pm CT. The two teams met in the opening match of the 2023 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup at Shell Energy Stadium on April 19. The match will feature a local broadcast on AT&T Sports Net Southwest and a national stream on Paramount+.
