
Houston Dash Defeat Kansas City NWSL for First Victory of the Year
April 27, 2021 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Houston Dash News Release
HOUSTON - The Houston Dash snapped a two-game scoreless streak in their 3-1 victory over Kansas City NWSL at Children's Mercy Park this evening.
Dash midfielder Kristie Mewis was one of six international players to return to the team after the FIFA window earlier this month. The midfielder finished with a brace and gave Houston the lead in the 25th minute after she controlled a ball cleared by the Kansas City backline at the top of the box. The U.S. Women's National Team midfielder dribbled away from two defenders to create space for a left-footed shot that beat Kansas City goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart.
Houston doubled its lead in the final minutes of the first half after forward Rachel Daly was dragged to the ground inside the penalty area by defender Rachel Corsie. The England international converted from the penalty spot for her first goal of the year and her 28th goal for the Dash in all competitions. Daly is now tied with Kealia Watt for the most goals scored in team history.
This was Daly's first game with the Dash since the 2-0 victory in the NWSL Challenge Cup final against Watt and the Chicago Red Stars on July 26, 2020. That was the first league title in team history and the triumph was named the 2020 McDonald's Moment of the Year in the Houston by the Harris County - Houston Sports Authority this evening at the annual Houston Sports Awards gala.
Houston forward Nichelle Prince intercepted a ball in the 71st minute for Houston's final goal of the game. The Canadian international dribbled past a defender to the end line and found Mewis in the middle of the six-yard box for her second goal of the game.
Kansas City forward Michele Vasconcelos denied Houston its third clean sheet of the competition late in the second half. Midfielder Lo'eau LaBonta split the backline and fed Vasconcelos in the 78th minute for the final goal of the game.
Prince intercepted the ball twice in the first half and her first effort in the 16th minute caught the Kansas City backline on its heels. Prince found Daly near the penalty spot, but the England international was ruled offside. Houston knocked on the door four minutes later off a free kick after Mewis found defender Katie Naughton inside the box, but her header went over the crossbar.
Mewis drew a defender to open space for Daly at the top of the box in the 66th minute, but her effort hit the crossbar.
Dash and USWNT goalkeeper Jane Campbell returned from international duty and finished with three saves against Kansas City.
Houston closes their Challenge Cup campaign at BBVA Stadium against Lindsey Horan, Crystal Dunn and the Portland Thorns on Sunday, May 2.
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Kansas City NWSL (0-2-1; 1 pt.) 1-3 Houston Dash (1-0-2; 5 pts.)
2021 NWSL Challenge Cup pres. by Secret Deodorant
Children's Mercy Park - Kansas City, Kansas
SCORING SUMMARY
TEAM 1H 2H FT
Kansas City NWSL 0 1 1
Houston Dash 2 1 3
HOU: Kristie Mewis 1 (unassisted) '25
HOU: Rachel Daly 1 (penalty) 45+1
HOU: Kristie Mewis 2 (Nichelle Prince 1) 71
KC: Michele Vasconcelos 1 (Lo'eau LaBonta 1) 77
LINEUPS:
Kansas City NWSL: Nicole Barnhart; Rachel Corsie (Taylor Leach 87), Sydney Miramontez (Michelle Maemone 45), Katie Bowen, Kate Del Fava; Victoria Pickett (Chloe Logarzo 30), Madeline Nolf (Addie McCain 76), Desiree Scott (Gaby Vincent 76), Lo'eau LaBonta; Amy Rodriguez (C), Mariana Larroquette (Michele Vasconcelos 69)
Unused substitutes: Ashley Nick, Jordyn Listro, Chloe Logarzo, Carly Nelson
Total shots: 9 (Chloe Logarzo and Amy Rodriguez tied at 2); Shots on goal: 4 (Lo'eau Labonta, Amy Rodriguez, Chloe Lagarzo and Michele Vasconcelos tied with 1); Fouls: 13 (Lo'eau Labonta and Rachel Corsie tied with 3); Offside: 5 (Amy Rodriguez 2); Corner kicks: 3 (Lo'eau Labonta 2); Saves: 2 (Nicole Barnhart 3)
Houston Dash: Jane Campbell; Allysha Chapman (Ally Prisock 64), Megan Oyster, Katie Naughton, Haley Hanson (Jamia Fields 82); Kristie Mewis, Shea Groom (Gabby Seiler 81), Sophie Schmidt; Rachel Daly (C), Nichelle Prince, Bri Visalli (Veronica Latsko 65)
Unused substitutes: Lindsey Harris, Emily Ogle, Katie Stengel
Total shots: 18 (Rachel Daly 8); Shots on goal: 5 (Rachel Daly and Kristie Mewis tied with 2); Fouls: 9 (Haley Hanson and Nichelle Prince tied with 2); Offside: 4 (Rachel Daly 2); Corner kicks: 1 (Kristie Mewis 1); Saves: 3 (Jane Campbell 3)
DISCIPLINE:
KC: Sydney Miramontez (caution; foul) 29
HOU: Jane Campbell (caution; unsporting behavior) 34
KC: Rachel Corsie (caution; foul) 40
KC: Kate Del Fava (caution; foul) 54
HOU: Bri Visalli (caution; foul) 58
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Alyssa Nichols
Assistant Referee: Tiffani Turpin
Assistant Referee: Melissa Gonzalez
Fourth Official: Luis Tribaldo
Weather: 79 degrees, clear skies
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