The Houston Dash hit the post three times but were held scoreless at BBVA Compass Stadium this afternoon as they fell to Seattle Reign FC 2-0 on Lifetime’s NWSL Game of the Week.
The opening goal came seconds before the first half hydration break as Megan Rapinoe’s left-footed shot in the 30th minute deflected off a Dash defender and evaded a lunging Lydia Williams at the near post.
Katie Johnson, a first-half substitute after a knee injury to forward Beverly Yanez, doubled Seattle’s lead in the 64th minute. The forward spun away from a Dash defender to create space for a shot that beat Williams at the near post.
Just as the final whistle blew, Dash forward Rachel Daly was taken off the field and treated by medical personnel for heat illness. After her condition improved, she was taken to a local hospital for further evaluation.
Houston’s first scoring opportunity came as forward Kealia Ohai won the ball from a Seattle Reign defender outside the six yard box. The captain found forward Janine Beckie at the opposite post but her shot went over the crossbar in the second minute of play.
A minute later Beckie’s corner kick found defender Cami Privett at the back post and despite midfielder Andressinha’s effort to reach the ball inside the six yard box Seattle cleared the ball.
Beckie would again face Seattle goalkeeper Haley Kopmeyer in the 11th minute this time in a one-on-one duel but her shot from a tight angle went wide of the far post.
Seattle defender Lauren Barnes’ last ditch tackle prevented Beckie from getting a shot off in the 27th minute. The play began when Ohai’s low cross found Beckie making a run into the box.
A minute prior to the opening goal, Dash forward Nichelle Prince was rejected by the crossbar after her created space inside the box for her shot.
Ohai forced a save from Kopmeyer in the 69th minute after she beat a defender and curled a ball toward the near post. Kopmeyer deflected the shot and Seattle eventually cleared the second ball.
Prince hit the post again late in the second half; and then in the third minute of stoppage time Andressinha had a flicked shot that caromed off the post.
Houston travels to Maryland next week for their second game of the year against the Washington Spirit. Houston defeated the Spirit 1-0 in their first meeting on April 29 at the Maryland SoccerPlex.
