The Houston Dash avoided a shutout with a goal in the final ten minutes of play at Memorial Stadium this evening, but fell 5-1 to Seattle Reign FC. Houston suffered for their fifth consecutive loss in Washington to the outfit from the Pacific Northwest.
Seattle midfielder Jessica Fishlock scored the opening goal of the game in the 17th minute after she pounced on a ball near the penalty spot. Reign FC midfielder Megan Rapinoe initially found forward Beverly Yanez inside the box, but the veteran floated the ball toward the penalty spot and a waiting Fishlock for the finish.
Rapinoe got on the score sheet nine minutes later when her strike from the edge of the box beat Dash rookie goalkeeper Jane Campbell at the far post. Campbell, Houston’s second-round pick in the 2017 NWSL Draft, made her professional debut tonight.
The final goal of the first half came in the 29th minute when midfielder Kristen McNabb got on the end of a deflected ball inside the box for her first professional goal.
Yanez added a goal in the 56th minute after she tapped in a loose ball following Campbell’s save off of a shot from Fishlock at the top of the box.
Seattle’s final goal of the game came in the 74th minute when Campbell deflected Fishlock’s cross but the ball fell to Katie Johnson inside the box for her first goal of the season.
The Dash pulled one goal back in the 84th minute to avoid the shutout. Brazilian defender Poliana timed her run well after Seattle goalkeeper Haley Kopmeyer saved Sarah Hagen’s initial shot outside the six yard box.
Houston returns to training next week in preparation for their next match, Saturday, April 29 at the Maryland Soccerplex against the Washington Spirit. Houston returns to BBVA Compass Stadium on May 13 as they host Sky Blue FC in their first home game since the home opener, a 2-0 victory over the Chicago Red Stars.
