A second-half goal from Havana Solaun gave Seattle Reign FC a 1-0 victory over the Houston Dash this evening at Memorial Stadium.
The game-winning goal came in the 66th minute when a four-pass sequence drew Dash defenders to Beverly Yanez. The forward found Solaun outside the 18-yard box and her 25-yard shot beat Lydia Williams at the far post.
The Dash remain winless in the series (0-0-6) and host Reign FC in the final game of the season on Sept. 25.
Andressa intercepted a pass from Reign MF Kim Little and found Janine Beckie making a run into the 18-yard box, but her shot went wide of the near post in the 14th minute.
Two minutes later Little found Jessica Fishlock at the top of the 18-yard box. The midfielder did not strike the ball with enough pace to beat Williams at the far post.
Williams was one of seven Dash players to return from international duty and finished the game with seven saves. The first save came in the 24th minute when the Australian goalkeeper blocked Yanez’ header towards the near post. The rebound fell to Rachel Corsie but her shot inside the six-yard box hit the crossbar for a goal kick.
Poliana crossed a ball into the 18-yard box in the 29th minute that found Allysha Chapman but her header was cleared by a Reign defender.
In the 40th minute Reign defender Lauren Barnes’ shot towards the far post almost sneaked into the top corner of the far post but Williams punched the ball out of play.
The Australian goalkeeper kept the game scoreless in the 64th minute after she denied Keelin Winters. The defender found space outside the six-yard box but her header towards the far post was punched out of play by Williams. Lauren Barnes provided the cross from a corner kick.
Morgan Brian had Houston’s best shot of the second half in the 71st minute. The U.S. Women’s National Team midfielder intercepted a ball near midfield, dribbled towards the 18-yard box and shot on goal but Reign goalkeeper Hope Solo handled the ball at the near post.
Houston’s final opportunity of the game came in stoppage time. Brian played a short corner kick to Andressa who crossed a ball into the box. Her cross went out of play at the top corner of the far post but surprised Solo who shuffled towards the post to secure the goal.
This was the first game for Randy Waldrum’s squad since May 20. Their last NWSL game scheduled for May 27 was postponed due to the sustained rain and lightning around BBVA Compass Stadium.
The Dash return to BBVA Compass on Sunday, June 19 to face the reigning two-time NWSL Champion, FC Kansas City at 7:30 p.m. CDT. A special Dads & Daughters pack is available in honor of Father’s Day, with two tickets to the game and a postgame family photo on the pitch starting at $40. Moms and sons are welcome, too! For tickets for this and all Dash games, visit HoustonDashSoccer.com/tickets or call 713-276-GOAL.
Houston Dash (2-3-1, 7 points) vs. Seattle Reign FC (3-3-2, 11 points)
NWSL Regular Season
June 12, 2016—Memorial Stadium—Seattle, Washington
Attendance: 4,682
Scoring Summary:
1 2 F
Houston Dash 0 0 0
Seattle Reign FC 0 1 1
SEA: Havana Solaun 1 (Beverly Yanez 2) 66
Houston Dash: Lydia Wiliams; Allysha Chapman (Stephanie Ochs 80), Ellie Brush, Cari Roccaro, Poliana; Andressa, Amber Brooks, Morgan Brian; Janine Beckie (Denise O’Sullivan 77), Kealia Ohai, Chioma Ubogagu
Unused substitutes: Cami Privett, Bianca Henninger, Melissa Henderson.
TOTAL SHOTS: 8 (Andressa 3); SHOTS ON GOAL: 4 (Andressa 2) FOULS: 6 (Ellie Brush 2); OFFSIDES: 5 (Kealia Ohai 2) CORNER KICKS: 3 (Morgan Brian 3); SAVES: 7
Seattle Reign FC: Hope Solo; Lauren Barnes, Kendall Fletcher, Rachel Corsie, Ellie Reed; Kim Little, Jessica Fishlock, Keelin Winters; Beverly Yanez, Merritt Mathias (Lindsay Elston 85), Havana Solaun
Unused Substitutes:Paige Nielsen, Carson Pickett, Michelle Cruz, Kiersten Dallstream, Haley Kopmeyer
TOTAL SHOTS: 19 (Jessica Fishlock, Kim Little, Keelin Winters tied with 3); SHOTS ON GOAL: 8 (Keelin Winters 2) FOULS: 7 (Lauren Barnes, Jessica Fishlock tied with 2); OFFSIDES: 1 (Beverly Yanez 1) CORNER KICKS: 4 (Lauren Barnes 3); SAVES: 4
Misconduct Summary: N/A
Referee: Marco Vega
Assistant Referees: Benjamin Wooten, Alicia Messer
Fourth Official: Jeff Arthurholtz
