NWSL Houston Dash

Houston Dash Draw Chicago 1-1 to Open 2018 Campaign

Published on March 25, 2018 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Houston Dash News Release


HOUSTON - The Houston Dash opened the 2018 NWSL regular season with a 1-1 draw with the Chicago Red Stars this afternoon at BBVA Compass Stadium. It marked the third consecutive year in which the Dash earned a point against Chicago on opening day.

Forward Kimberly Keever, one of three first-year players to start for Houston, scored her first goal as a professional in the 37th minute after she slid toward a low cross from forward Savannah Jordan at the near post. The play began with first-round draft pick Haley Hanson dribbling from midfield to the edge of the box and laying off to Jordan as she pulled two defenders towards her.

The Dash appeared headed to an opening-day victory until Chicago scored in the 91st minute. After winning a corner kick as the match slipped into stoppage time, the Red Stars threw numbers forward. The initial corner was headed away but not out, and Chicago defender Taylor Comeau headed a floating ball back across the goal and under the crossbar to equalize.

Jordan was inches away from a goal of her own in the 21st minute, dragging a right-footed effort just wide of the far post. Rookie Veronica Latsko won the ball outside the box and found midfielder Linda Motlhalo, who found Jordan in stride for Houston's first scoring opportunity of the game.

Midfielder Meleana Shim forced a save after her free kick went straight to goal, but Naeher was well positioned to handle her shot.

Houston almost doubled the lead minutes into the second half as Shim found Latsko unmarked inside the box, but her effort was blocked by Naeher who closed down quickly on the rookie. Minutes later, defender Rachel Daly fired a shot from outside the box that was redirected by forward Nichelle Prince, but Prince's effort went wide of the near post.

Houston returns to action on Friday as they host Utah Royals FC in their inaugural visit to BBVA Compass Stadium. Tickets for the match start at $19 and are available here.

Houston Dash (0-0-1; 1 pt.) X-X Chicago Red Stars (0-0-1; 1 pt1.)

NWSL Week 1

Sunday, March 25, 2018 - BBVA Compass Stadium - Houston, Texas

Attendance: 5,846

Scoring Summary:

HOU: Kimberly Keever 1 (Savannah Jordan 1) 37

Houston Dash: Jane Campbell; Rachel Daly, Amber Brooks ©, Janine Van Wyk, Kristie Mewis; Mana Shim, Haley Hanson; Savannah Jordan (Lindsay Agnew 71), Linda Motlhalo (Claire Falknor 78), Kimberly Keever (Nichelle Prince 46); Veronica Latsko

Unused Substitutes: Bianca Henninger, Sammy Jo Prudhomme, Alli Murphy, Michaela Hahn

Total shots: 12 (Savannah Jordan and Meleana Shim tied with 3); Shots on goal: 4 (Savannah Jordan 3); Fouls: 14 (Lindsay Agnew 3); Offside: 2 (Linda Motlhalo and Nichelle Prince tied with 1); Corner kicks: 4 (Kristie Mewis and Meleana Shim tied with 2); Saves: 1

Chicago Red Stars: Alyssa Naeher; Katie Naughton, Arin Gilliland, Samantha Johnson, Taylor Comeau; Danielle Colaprico, Lauren Kaskie (Nikki Stanton 64), Summer Green (Sarah Gorden 59), Alyssa Mautz; Michele Vasconcelos (Erin Yenney 74); Sofia Huerta

Unused Substitutes: Emily Boyd, Stephanie McCaffrey

Total shots: 5 (Taylor Comeau, Lauren Kaskie, Danielle Colaprico, Arin Gilliland and Erin Yenney tied with 1); Shots on goal: 2 (Taylor Comeau and Danielle Colaprico tied with 1); Fouls: 12 (Sofia Huerta 4); Offside: 1 (Lauren Kaskie 1); Corner kicks: 3 (Danielle Colaprico 3); Saves: 3

Discipline:

CHI: Katie Naughton (unsporting foul 69)

HOU: Amber Brooks (unsporting foul 81)

OFFICIALS

Referee: Jasmine Peralta

Assistant Referee 1: Brooke Mayo

Assistant Referee 2: Adrienne McDonald

Fourth Official: Kimberly Oberle

Check out the Houston Dash Statistics

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National Women's Soccer League Stories from March 25, 2018


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