The Houston Dash returned to league play with their largest victory of the season, a 4-0 triumph over Racing Louisville FC at Lynn Family Stadium earlier today. With the win, the Dash moved up the table into the sixth and final playoff spot with five games left in the regular season.
The Dash opened the scoring after forward Bri Visalli took advantage of a misplayed ball from the Louisville backline. After stealing the ball inside the attacking third, Visalli did all the work herself, snaking through the defense before ripping the ball past the keeper for her first career NWSL goal.
Houston doubled its lead in the 43rd minute, when forward Nichelle Prince crossed the ball into the box before falling to the feet of midfielder Kristie Mewis. The U.S. Women’s National Team midfielder, who was completely unmarked by the defense, found the upper right corner for her second goal of the season.
In addition to the two goals, the Dash created a number of opportunities in the first half. Houston's first chance to score came in the 22nd minute, when defender Allysha Chapman crossed a ball into the 18-yard-box. Multiple Dash players got touches on the ball inside the box, before it finally went off a Louisville defender for a Houston corner. That corner found the head of defender Katie Naughton before sailing over the goal.
The Dash once again found themselves in front of the net with a chance to score as Mewis worked her way past the Louisville defense to receive a pass from forward Veronica Latsko. Mewis was able to get a shot off from the left side of the goal, however it was knocked down and secured by Louisville goalkeeper Michelle Betos.
The second half featured fewer chances for either side than the first half, however it was the Dash that once again took advantage when given the opportunity. After Latsko generated a shot on goal that was deflected by the Louisville keeper, a Mewis corner kick in the 42nd minute led to a scrum in front of the goal that ended when Naughton scored her third goal of the season.
The Dash continued the scoring onslaught late into the game, as Mewis and Prince once again connected for a goal, however it was Mewis who found Prince this time. Prince knocked the ball past the keeper and into the back of the net.
In addition to the four goals, the Dash won this game with stout defending. In her first match since starting for the U.S. Women’s National Team against Paraguay, goalkeeper Jane Campbell recorded her fourth clean sheet of the season.
For the Dash, the four goals in this match bring their total goals scored over their last two games to nine, as they defeated Tigres Femenil 5-1 in a friendly last Sunday.
Houston’s next match will once again come on the road against Kansas City on Saturday, October 2. That match will kick off at 7:00 pm and can be streamed live on Paramount Plus.
