BOYDS, MARYLAND (Saturday, June 22, 2019) – The Houston Dash remained undefeated away from home with a scoreless draw this evening against the first-place Washington Spirit at Maryland SoccerPlex.
Although Houston saw their goal-scoring streak snapped at eight games this season, they produced a stout defensive effort en route to keeping a clean sheet for the third time this year. The draw improved the Dash to 3-2-4 on the year overall and 2-0-2 away from BBVA Stadium.
Dash goalkeeper Jane Campbell was credited with two saves in the shutout effort, while the Dash back line harried Washington’s attack into seven off-target shots and blocked three other shooting attempts.
The Spirit forced the first save of the game in the 31st minute when Washington forward Ashley Hatch received a ball from midfielder Bayley Feist that slid in between two Dash defenders and into the path of Hatch. Campbell quickly came off her line and got her hands on the ball before Hatch could put her foot on the ball.
The Dash reacted quickly, threatening the Spirit goal in the 33rd minute on a free kick. Forward Sofia Huerta served in a cross that midfielder Kristie Mewis was able to touch in the air, sending a header just above the crossbar.
Hatch came close to the Dash goal for the second time minutes into the second half, when she dribbled the ball around a Dash defender to work free for a shot, but put her effort above the crossbar.
Huerta tested her luck with a one-touch shot off a pass from forward Kealia Ohai on a counterattack in the 52nd minute, but Huerta’s shot was deflected by a Spirit defender.
The Dash continued to press for the winning goal late, and Huerta got onto the end of a cross from defender Ari Romero at the six-yard box in the 83rd minute, but her headed effort went wide of the target.
Dash rookie midfielder Betsy Brandon made her professional debut wen she subbed on for Huerta in the first minute of stoppage time, helping to see out the match and ensure that Houston returned home with a point.
The Dash are back at home to host the Portland Thorns at 7:30 p.m. CDT on Saturday, June 29 at BBVA Stadium. The match will be streamed live on Yahoo! Sports.
Houston Dash (3-2-4; 13 pts) 0-0 Washington Spirit (5-1-3; 18 pts.)
NWSL Regular Season, Week 10
Saturday, June 22, 2019 – Maryland SoccerPlex – Boyds, Maryland
SCORING SUMMARY:
Team 1H 2H FT
Washington Spirit 0 0 0
Houston Dash 0 0 0
LINEUPS:
Washington Spirit: Audrey Bledsoe; Tori Huster, McKenzie Berryhill, Sam Staab, Diorian Bailey; Andi Sullivan (C), Meggie Dougherty-Howard (Arielle Ship 86), Bayley Feist (Carlin Hudson 82); Rachel Hill, Jordan DiBiasi, Ashley Hatch, Cali Farquharson (Megan Crosson 67)
Unused substitutes: Tiffany McCarty, Grace Cutler, Crystal Thomas, Shae Yanez
Total shots: 12 (Ashley Hatch 5); Shots on goal: 2 (Megan Crosson, Ashley Hatch 1); Fouls: 10 (Jordan di Biasi, Andi Sullivan 2); Offside: 0; Cornerkicks: 4 (Jordan di Biasi 4); Saves: 0
Houston Dash: Jane Campbell; Arianna Romero, Ally Prisock, Amber Brooks, Satara Murray; Christine Nairn, Kristie Mewis (CeCe Kizer 82), Haley Hanson; Sofia Huerta (Betsy Brandon 90+1), Kealia Ohai (C), Jamia Fields (Ariana Calderon 64)
Unused Substitutes: Bianca Henninger, Jazmin Jackmon, Riley Smith, Jorian Baucom
Total shots: 4 (Sofia Huerta 2); Shots on goal: 0; Fouls: 16 (Ari Calderon 5); Offside: 4 (Kealia Ohai 2); Corner kicks: 2 (Christine Nairn 2); Saves: 2 (Jane Campbell 2)
DISCIPLINE:
HOU: Christine Nairn (caution; foul) 44
HOU: Ariana Calderon (caution; foul) 73
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Lorant Varga
Assistant Referee 1: Kali Smith
Assistant Referee 2: Tiffini Turpin
Fourth Official: JT Alukonis
Weather: Clear, 78 degrees
