The Houston Dash earned three points in league play for the first time since June 3 following their 1-0 victory over Racing Louisville earlier today. This was the third road victory of the season for Houston and their first since a 2-0 triumph in Kansas City on May 26.
Today’s match marked Sarah Lowdon’s debut as the interim head coach and she earned her fifth victory with the team. Lowdon served as the acting head coach to start the 2022 season and earned four victories en route to helping the team qualify for the 2022 NWSL postseason.
Houston took the lead in the 54th minute after forward María Sánchezcrossed the ball into the box and found forward Diana Ordóñez at the far post. The 21-year-old headed the ball into the back of the net for the game-winning goal and her third of the year. The forward scored the opening goal in Houston’s 2-0 victory over Kansas City on May 26.
Houston had an early chance in the fourth minute of the match after Brazilian midfielder Andressa, who made her first NWSL start today, took a shot from outside the box that narrowly missed the near post.
Defender Caprice Dydasco found Andressa between two defenders inside the box moments later, but her header skipped over the crossbar.
Midfielder Marisa Viggiano took a shot in in the ninth minute that was handled by Racing Louisville FC goalkeeper Katie Lund. Viggiano and Dydasco each created three chances for the team and finished with the second highest tally for the team. Sanchez led the Dash with four chances created tonight. The team finished with five shots on target against Louisville.
Dash goalkeeper Jane Campbell made a save in the 14th minute of the match after forward Kirsten Davis was able to find space behind the Dash backline. Campbell finished with six saves against Louisville tonight and earned her sixth clean sheet of the season. The goalkeeper has 65 saves this season, the second highest mark in league play.
In the 29th minute, Andressa challenged defender Madalyn Pokorny for the ball and won a corner kick. The initial delivery of the corner was punched away and the ball fell to midfielder Sarah Puntingam, but her effort was off target.
Campbell’s final save of the first half came in the 42nd minute when she denied Pokorny at the near post. The rebound fell to Kirsten Davis, but her effort was off target.
Ordóñez had an opportunity to score again in the 62nd minute after the forward was able to break free to force a save.
Midfielder Sophie Schmidt had an open look on goal from the top of the box three minutes later, but the shot went over the crossbar. Defensively, the captain led the team with three interceptions and won possession six times.
Louisville’s final opportunity of the game came in the final moments of the second half off a cross from Carson Pickett. The cross found Emina Ekic at the near post, but her header was off target.
The Dash return to league play on Oct. 1 to face NJ/NY Gotham FC at Red Bull Arena. The team returns to Shell Energy Stadium on Oct. 8 to host Angel City FC in the final regular season match at home. For tickets and additional information, visit HoustonDash.com.
