The Houston Dash (3-8-3, 12 points) travel to Rochester, N.Y. this Saturday (7 p.m., HoustonDashSoccer.com/Live) to face the Western New York Flash (8-5-2, 26 points) for their final meeting of the regular season.
The Flash are in third place through 15 games this season; and prior to this match, the Flash visited Houston on July 30 for a game that finished with a season-high six combined goals, ending in a 3-3 draw.
Houston responded to midfielder Lianne Sanderson’s third-minute goal with three consecutive scores of their own. Rachel Daly’s long-range effort beat Flash goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland at the near post and Kealia Ohai’s brace began with a 70-yard dribbling run for her first goal. The team captain scored her second on a cross from defender Stephanie Ochs. Ohai’s shot inside the box deflected off a defender to the far post for her third goal of the season. The Flash would respond with two goals in the final 20 minutes to salvage a draw.
Western New York defenders Abby Erceg (New Zealand), Alanna Kennedy (Australia), Samantha Mewis (U.S.) and goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo (Canada) return after competing or traveling to Rio for the Olympic Games. Players that competed in the Olympic Games are expected to be eligible for selection.
Forwards Lynn Williams and former Dash forward Jessica McDonald have combined for 15 goals this season. Williams leads the league in goals this season with eight and McDonald is tied for second. Additionally, McDonald leads the league in assists this season with six.
Sanderson, who has scored four goals and has one assist this season, is another potential impact player for the Flash. Jaelene Hinkle can provide an offensive boost from left back, the defender has three assists and one goal this season.
The Dash lead the all-time series with a record of 4-1-1 and a 2-0-0 record in the Empire State.
