The Houston Dash return to the Garden State on Saturday as they face Shea Groom, Katie Johnson and Sky Blue FC on Saturday evening at Yurcak Field.
The Dash look to close the gap in the quest for a playoff spot after falling 2-1 to Utah Royals FC last weekend. Sofia Huerta tallied her fifth assist of the season as she found Veronica Latskoin the first half for Houston’s only goal of the game. The University of Virginia product scored her third goal of the season in the fourth start of her rookie campaign.
This will be the second meeting between both clubs this season after Houston earned three points in a 3-2 victory on May 5 at Yurcak field. This was Houston’s first victory of the season and sparked a three-game unbeaten streak.
Sky Blue FC enters this match winless through 17 games and sit at the bottom of the table with four points. The New Jersey side earned their last point in a 2-2 draw with the Orlando Pride last Sunday. The two sides exchanged goals throughout the second half which featured an assist from Texas A&M product FW Shea Groom. The forward also scored the go-ahead goal in the 59th minute, but Dani Weatherholt scored the equalizer to split the points at Orlando City Stadium.
Sky Blue will be without U.S. Women’s National Team veteran Carli Lloyd after she was ejected in the 2-2 draw in Florida last weekend for a handball inside the six yard box late into second half stoppage time. FWs Katie Johnson and Savannah McCaskill will need to spark an offense that has only scored 14 goals this season, the second fewest scored in the league this season.
Looking ahead for the Dash, Houston returns to BBVA Compass Stadium on Aug. 17 to host Mallory Pugh, Rose Lavelle and the Washington Spirit. Tickets start at $19 and are available at HoustonDashSoccer.com
