The Houston Dash closed the 2023 NWSL season with a 1-0 loss to the Orlando Pride at Exploria Stadium earlier today. The team finished with a 6-8-8 (WLD) record and in 10th place in the final league standings. The team finished with a 2-2-0 record under interim head coach Sarah Lowdon.
The Dash conceded a penalty kick in the 85th minute following a foul on Marta inside the box. The Brazilian playmaker converted the ensuing penalty kick for the lone goal of the match.
Goalkeeper Jane Campbell was called into action in the 10th minute of the match after Marta found space in the final third to create space for a shot. Campbell was well positioned to stop the Brazilian's effort. The shot stopper from Georgia had seven saves in the game and finished the season with the most saves by a goalkeeper this campaign with 93.
Captain Sophie Schmidt had an opportunity to score in the 24th minute following a corner kick delivered into the box by Andressa, but Schmidt’s header was just wide of the near post.
Forward Nichelle Prince had Houston’s first shot on target in the 33rd minute, and her effort from outside the box was handled by Orlando goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse. Houston’s second shot on target came five minutes later from midfielder Marisa Viggiano.
Campbell made another key save in the 41st minute after Marta attempted to thread the ball into the top corner of the near post. Campbell punched the ball way at the last second to keep the score level at zero. The Dash backline was under heavy pressure today as they faced 21 shots.
Midfielder Joelle Anderson, who entered the game as a second-half substitute, took a shot from outside the 18-yard box. Her shot curled away from goal just missing the inside of the near post.
Campbell denied Julie Doyle at the near post and the second effort from Adriana in the fourth minute of stoppage time. The match came to an end following a tackle by Sarah Puntigam to deny Marta’s final opportunity to serve a ball into the box. Puntigam and defender Katie Lind combined for 10 clearances today, half of the total clearances the team tallied against the Pride.
The Dash return to Shell Energy Stadium in 2024 for their 11th campaign in the National Women’s Soccer League.
