NWSL Portland Thorns FC

Thorns FC Down Houston Dash 4-0 in Shutout Road Win

June 12, 2022 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Portland Thorns FC News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - Portland Thorns FC notched a 4-0 shutout win on the road against the Houston Dash on Sunday evening at PNC Stadium. Sophia Smith recorded a brace for a team-leading six goals in the 2022 campaign, while Olivia Moultrie scored her first career regular season goal, becoming the youngest player to do so in NWSL history. Smith and Moultrie also each added an assist in the match. Additionally, Bella Bixby registered her fourth shutout of the season.

The Unstoppable Sophia Smith

Smith tallied two goals and an assist, recording her second career multi-goal game. In Portland's last four matches, Smith has recorded four goals and two assists. It also marked the first time Smith has scored a goal and tallied an assist in a single game. Two of Smith's last three goals have come through penalty kicks, successfully converting her only career attempts (2).

Moultrie Making History

Moultrie made history today when she scored her first career regular season goal, becoming the youngest player in NWSL history to do so at 16 years, eight months and 26 days old. Moultrie, who also earned her first start of the season in today's victory, tallied the third goal of the match and went on to assist the fourth goal. It marked Moultrie's second career regular season assist. Notably, Moultrie has scored her two professional goals against Houston. She tallied her first goal in the 2021 Women's ICC on August 18, 2021, at Providence Park in a 2-2 draw against the Dash.

Thorns on the Road

Tonight's match marked the second road match for Portland in four days. In the four-day stretch, Thorns FC picked up four points, scoring six goals and tallying three assists in both matches combined (San Diego Wave FC, Houston Dash). Portland has yet to drop a result on the road in the 2022 campaign, earning five of nine possible points as the visiting team (1-0-2). In those three matches, Thorns FC scored eight goals and conceded four. Dating back to the end of the 2021 season, Portland is unbeaten in its last five regular-season road matches with a record of 2-0-3. Additionally, Portland is unbeaten in its last seven regular season road matches at Houston (5-0-2), dating back to July 8, 2017.

Goal-Scoring Plays

POR - Katie Naughton (own goal), 1st minute: Hina Sugita dribbled down the left wing and crossed the ball into the middle of the box, where Katie Naughton attempted to block the cross, but redirected the ball into the goal.

POR - Sophia Smith (penalty kick), 12th minute: Smith earned and converted a penalty kick after being fouled near the top of the six-yard box by Houston defender Allysha Chapman.

POR - Olivia Moultrie (Sophia Smith), 74th minute: Smith picked off a pass inside of the 18-yard box from Dash defender Katie Naughton. Taking a touch toward the endline, Smith cut a pass back to the top of the six-yard box, finding Moultrie for a calm finish into the left corner of the goal.

POR - Sophia Smith (Olivia Moultrie), 82nd minute: Moultrie fired a shot from the penalty spot, forcing Houston goalkeeper Jane Campbell to make a diving save. Moultrie recovered the deflection and redirected it to Smith on the corner of the six-yard box for her to take a touch and slip it toward the back post where it bounced off a Houston defender and into the goal.

Notes:

Thorns FC played their second match on the road in four days today, earning four points (1W, 1D) and recording a total of six goals and three assists in the two matches (San Diego Wave, Houston Dash).

Portland has scored a goal in the first minute of two of its last three road matches against Houston. Sophia Smith scored in the 32 seconds into the match on July 24, 2021 and 44 seconds into tonight's match Thorns FC opened the scoring.

Smith recorded a brace and tallied an assist to earn a team-leading six goals and two assists this regular season. It marks her second career multi-goal game.

Smith has recorded four goals and two assists in Portland's last four matches (4G, 2A).

Two of Smith's last three goals have come through penalty kicks, successfully converting her only career attempts (2).

It is Smith's first time recording a goal and assist in a single game.

Olivia Moultrie scored her first career regular season goal today, becoming the youngest player in league history to score at 16 years old.

In her first start of the season, Moultrie tallied an assist, the second of her regular season career.

Both of Moultrie's professional goals have been scored against the Houston Dash. Moultrie scored a goal against Houston in the 2021 Women's ICC at Providence Park on Aug. 18, 2021.

Smith led the team in shots (7) and shots on goal (3).

Thorns FC recorded 20 shots this evening, the most the team has recorded in a single match this season.

Portland earned its fourth shutout of the 2022 campaign.

It marked Bella Bixby's 13th career clean sheet.

Portland is tied for the most shutouts in NWSL this season (4).

Portland is unbeaten in its last seven regular season road matches at Houston (5W, 2D), dating back to July 18, 2016.

Thorns FC have recorded 11 shutouts against Houston, which is the most shutouts against a single NWSL team in club history.

Portland's 4-0 win over the Dash was the team's league-leading third win this season by three or more goals.

It was also the club's 20th all-time regular season win by at least three goals for most such wins in NWSL history.

Thorns FC now lead the league in goals (15) with the best goal differential (8).

Portland has tallied two or more goals in four straight matches and is unbeaten in that stretch of play (2-0-2).

Natalie Beckman made her NWSL regular season debut.

Next Game

Thorns FC will return home on Sunday, June 19, to host Orlando Pride at Providence Park. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. (Pacific) and features a local television broadcast on FOX 12 PLUS.

Check out the Portland Thorns FC Statistics



National Women's Soccer League Stories from June 12, 2022


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