
Reign FC Complete Comeback to Stay Perfect against Dash
Published on September 25, 2016 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Seattle Reign FC News Release
SEATTLE - In
their final regular season match of the 2016 NWSL season, Seattle Reign FC defeated
the Houston Dash 3-2. It was Captain Keelin Winters' final match for Reign FC.
With
the win, Reign FC (8-6-6, 30 pts) are now 7-0-0 all-time against the Dash,
including a 3-0-0 record at BBVA Compass Stadium. Seattle had not won on the
road since April 24th against the Boston Breakers.
"I thought in the first half we started very slowly, and a lot of the things we
had said we needed to be good at in the game we weren't being good at," said
Seattle Reign FC head coach Laura Harvey. "At halftime we had a very honest
conversation and agreed that it wasn't good enough. We didn't want to go out on
that footing. I just asked them to put on a performance in the second half that
they'd be proud of."
The
Houston Dash opened up the scoring with first goal of the match in the 39th
minute of play. Kealia Ohai found space on the sideline and launched a
long distance shot from outside the box. Ohai's shot went into the far upper 90
of the goal to give Houston the 1-0 lead.
The
Dash went onto double their lead through Carli Lloyd. After Andressa played in
Denise O'Sullivan behind the defense, O'Sullivan laid it off to Lloyd right at
the penalty spot. Lloyd turned and buried her shot in the back of the net.
Reign
FC started their comeback in the second half with a goal from Manon Melis. In the 60th
minute, Jessica Fishlock sent a long ball over the top of the Houston defense,
hitting Melis in stride. Dash goalkeeper Lydia Williams came off her line to
try to stop the attack, but Melis chipped it over her to make the scoreline 2-1.
It was Melis' fourth goal in the past five matches.
"I
thought Manon was excellent in the second half and was a real threat for most of
the game," said Harvey. "Her goal sort of kickstarted us into the comeback. She
does a lot of work off the ball and she got rewarded tonight."
Kim
Little tied the game at two goals apiece with her goal. Fishlock was able to collect
the ball at the top of the box, and then found Little open in the penalty box. Little
slotted the ball home to tie the match. It was the midfielder's ninth goal
all-time against the Dash, the most in Reign FC history.
The
game-winning goal came in the 82nd minute from Beverly Yanez.
Second-half substitute Carson Pickett served a cross into the box, and Yanez
was able to get in front of her defender and poke home the final goal of the
night.
Yanez
was awarded Reign FC's player of the match for her performance on the night.
The goal was Yanez's third on the season. The forward played 85 minutes in the
game.
NWSL Match Report
National Women's Soccer League Stories from September 25, 2016
- Houston Dash Fall 3-2 to Seattle Reign FC in Final NWSL Regular Season Match - Houston Dash
- Reign FC Complete Comeback to Stay Perfect against Dash - Seattle Reign FC
- Sky Blue FC Unable to Hold off Portland in 2016 Season Finale - Sky Blue FC
- Portland Thorns FC Win 2016 NWSL Shield - NWSL
- Flash Will Travel to Portland for Playoffs - Western New York Flash
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
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