The Houston Dash fell 4-0 to the Portland Thorns at PNC Stadium this evening. Today’s loss snapped a six-game unbeaten run for the team.
Portland took the lead in the opening minute of the game off an own goal by defender Katie Naughton. The Dash defender attempted to clear a cross, but her touch redirected the ball into her own goal.
The Thorns doubled their lead in the 23rd minute after they were awarded a penalty kick for a foul in Sophia Smith inside the box. The Thorns forward converted the penalty for the second goal of the game.
Olivia Moultrie scored the third goal for the Thorns after Smith won the ball inside the box and found the 16-year-old in the 76th minute. The final goal of the game came in the 83rd minute after Smith intercepted a pass inside the box. The forward’s effort was on target and found the back of the net despite a lunging effort from Haley Hanson to clear the ball at the line.
Houston nearly found the back of the net in the seventh minute after midfielder Emily Ogle controlled a rebound at the edge of the box. Her volley was saved at the top corner by the near post.
The Thorns nearly doubled their lead in the 19th minute off a free kick that found Raquel Rodriguez inside the box, Dash goalkeeper Jane Campbell was well positioned to handle her shot at the goal line. The Dash shot stopper finished with four saves.
Hanson forced a save in the 38th minute with an effort from outside the box.
Thorns midfielder Raquel Rodriguez forced a save from Campbell in the 63rd minute with a shot from outside the box.
