A late second half goal from midfielder Sofia Huerta gave the Houston Dash a 1-0 victory over Sky Blue FC Saturday evening at Yurcak Field.
This was Houston’s first victory of the season and the first three points for head coach James Clarkson with the club. Clarkson has earned four points from his first two games in charge, the most points for a head coach in their first year with the club through two matches.
Huerta capitalized on a loose ball inside the box after forward Rachel Daly forced a tackle from Sky Blue goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan in the 83rd minute. Daly was in a one-on-one duel with Sheridan who got a foot on the ball, which fell to Huerta and her shot deflected off Estelle Johnson for the only goal of the game.
This was the second game under Clarkson who favors a pressing style of play, leading to 11 shots on goal in today’s match.
Houston forward Nichelle Prince took the first chance at the Sky Blue goal off a pass from forward Veronica Latsko. Prince chipped her shot over Sheridan, but the goalkeeper was able to get a touch on the ball.
Sky Blue’s best opportunity of the game came at the 27th minute when two Dash defenders committed a foul on Sky Blue FC forward Carli Lloyd inside the box. The former Houston Dash forward missed from the penalty spot as her effort skipped off the left post.
The Dash continued to create chances in the final 15 minutes of the first half as CanWNT midfielder Sophie Schmidt forced a save with a shot from outside the box.
Huerta suffered a foul from Sky Blue FC midfielder Raquel Rodriguez outside the box in the 39th minute, giving the Dash their first free kick of the game. Dash midfielder Christine Nairn took the free kick and the second ball fell to defender Lindsay Agnew, who took her chance from outside the box and forced Sheridan’s fourth save of the game.
At the 63rd minute, Houston Dash midfielder Kristie Mewis entered the game for Agnew, stepping foot on the field for the first time since her knee injury last May. Along with Mewis, forward Jamia Fields entered the game for Schmidt, making her Dash debut.
Sky Blue FC 0-1 Houston Dash
NWSL Regular Season, Week 2
Saturday, April 20, 2019
Yurcak Field – Piscataway, New Jersey
Attendance: 1,394
SCORING SUMMARY:
HOU: Sofia Huerta 1 (unassisted) 83
LINEUPS:
Houston Dash: Jane Campbell; Lindsey Agnew (Kristie Mewis, 63), Clare Polkinghorne, Amber Brooks ©, Allysha Chapman; Sophie Schmidt (Jamie Fields, 63), Christine Nairn, Huerta; Nichelle Prince, Rachel Daly, Veronica Latsko (Haley Hanson, 76)
Substitutes not used: Bianca Henninger, Taylor Comeau, Arianna Romero, Kyah Simon
Total shots: 19 (Rachel Daly 5); Shots on goal: 11 (Rachel Daly 4); Fouls: 10 (Nichelle Prince and Veronica Latsko tied with 2);Offside: 5; Corner kicks: 8; Saves: 1 (Jane Campbell 1)
Sky Blue FC: Kailen Sheridan; Caprice Dydasco, Erika Skroski, Domi Richardson, Estelle Johnson; Naho Kawasumi, Raquel Rodriguez, Sarah Killion ©, Imani Dorsey, Jen Hoy (Paige Monaghan, 64), Carli Lloyd
Substitutes not used: Didi Haracic, McKenzie Meehan, Julie James, Kenie Wright, Amandine Pierre-Louis
Total shots: 8 (Carli Lloyd and Paige Monaghan tied with 2); Shots on goal: 1(Naho Kawasum); Fouls: 8 (Carlo Lloyd and Raquel Rodriguez tied with 2); Offside: 0; Corner kicks: 3; Saves: 10 (Kailen Sheridan 10)
DISCIPLINE:
HOU: Lindsey Agnew (yellow card; unsporting behavior) 49
SBFC: Carli Lloyd (yellow card; unsporting behavior)
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Danielle Chesky
Assistant Referee 1: Brooke Mayo
Assistant Referee 2: Amilcar Sicaju
Fourth Official: Bardhyl Pashaj
Weather: Cloudy, 71 degrees
