Kealia Ohai led the Dash to its first road victory over the Washington Spirit this evening as the Texas side claimed a 1-0 victory at the Maryland SoccerPlex today.
Ohai scored the game's only goal in the 28th minute after she received a pass from Denise O’Sullivan along the left flank. The captain dribbled along the sideline and cut inside to create space towards the middle of the box and her shot beat Sprit goalkeeper Stephanie Lebbe at the far post.
Houston’s early pressure in the first half resulted in a save from Labbe in the fourth minute after Ohai cut inside to the edge of the box but her shot was handled by the Spirit keeper.
Four minutes later, Janine Beckie, who made her debut in the midfield for the club, found Rachel Daly inside the box but her shot missed the inside of the far post.
Beckie tested her Canadian National Team teammate in the 21st minute with a long-range strike that was punched away at the near post.
Daly’s long-range effort in the 61st minute was also punched away by Labbe who finished the game with five saves.
Lydia Williams denied Shelina Zadorsky’s close-range header in the 68th minute and managed a defensive line that tallied its second shutout of the season.
Nichelle Prince came on in the second half and forced a save in the 81st minute after she got on the end of a pass from Ohai near the edge of the box.
Ohai almost doubled her tally in the 88th minute as she took on Labbe in a one-on-one situation, but the keeper was able to get a hand on the ball to prevent the forward from creating space to shoot the ball.
The Dash conclude their three-game road trip next Saturday, May 6, at Chicago. The Dash and the Red Stars squared off in the season opener at BBVA Compass Stadium on April 15, with Houston taking a 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Ohai and Daly.
