NWSL Washington Spirit

Dunn Goal Maintains Spirit Undeafted Home Streak

Published on June 27, 2015 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Washington Spirit News Release


BOYDS, Md. (June 27, 2015) -On a wet and cold evening on June 27th, The Washington Spirit (5-3-2, 17 points) won a physical match against the Houston Dash (3-3-3, 13 points) to continue their unbeaten streak at home. (MATCH PHOTO)

The first 15 minutes of the game, saw both sides having equal opportunities but a shaky start for both. Tori Huster and Caprice Dydasco both started for the first time this season on the Spirit backline, which meant the team needed a bit of time before settling and smoothing transitioning out of the back.

The Dash attacked first in the third minute, when forward Jessica McDonald turned and passed the ball to Melissa Henderson, whose shot was stopped by Spirit goalkeeper Kelsey Wys.

Just a day after her thirty-third birthday, Johanna Lohman proved age is just a number as she made a number of great runs in the box and put continual pressure on Houston's backline. Her efforts in the midfield led to an opportunity in the sixth minute with a volley off a free kick but was directed right to the goalkeeper.

In the last twenty minutes of the first half, the Spirit settled down and had quality possession but was still looking for the final pass and a clinical finish. The teams went into the locker room tied 0-0.

The second half, the Spirit came out attacking and controlled most of the game. In the 46th minute, Huster sent a hard shot at the Dash goal, but a defender standing on the goal line cleared the ball. The bench and several Spirit players looked to the assistant referee for a signal for a goal, but none came.

The Spirit's attacking players including Crystal Dunn, Laura Del Rio, Angela Salem, and Lohman had constant pressure all second half, which resulted in the Spirit's goal in the 56th minute.

Dunn applied high pressure to the Dash's backline, taking the ball away and with her left foot shot a rocket in the top left corner, which careened off the post and into the back of the net. Dunn secured her seventh goal in 10 games and gave the Spirit a 1-0 lead.

The Dash nearly scored in the 83rd minute when Kealia Ohai took a shot at the top of the eighteen, but a great save by Wys kept the Spirit ahead 1-0.

The Spirit stayed strong and collected in the last five minutes to secure the 1-0 victory and earn three important points before traveling to play FC Kansas City on July 3rd at 8:00 p.m ET.

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National Women's Soccer League Stories from June 27, 2015


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