SANDY, Utah (May 6, 2026) – The Houston Dash fell 2-0 on the road to Utah Royals FC earlier this evening. This match featured six changes to the starting lineup following Houston’s draw with Seattle Reign FC at home last Friday.
Tonight’s match saw midfielder Emina Ekić make her Houston Dash debut and first start for the club. Ekić became the newest addition to the Dash roster after joining the team on April 28 following a transfer from Lexington SC of the USL Super League. Additionally, forward Clarissa Larisey, defender Cate Hardin and midfielder Sarah Puntigam each made their first start of the 2026 season.
Utah Royals FC opened the scoring in the 38th minute after Mina Tanaka delivered a ball into the box for Cloé Lacasse, who finished with a right-footed strike for her third goal of the season. The Royals scored their second goal of the match in the 88th minute of the match.
Defender Leah Klenke recorded the first defensive clearance of the night in the eighth minute. The rookie currently leads all NWSL rookies in clearances with 41 this season.
Goalkeeper Jane Campbell was called into action in the 10th minute to deny Tanaka, getting her fingertips on the ball to deny the effort. The Dash captain is currently one appearance shy of reaching 200 appearances across all competitions for the club.
Houston created its first opportunity in the 30th minute after forward Messiah Bright received a long ball and dribbled down the right flank but was ultimately ruled offside before she could test the goalkeeper.
Forward Clarissa Larisey threatened in the 43rd minute after defender Malia Berkely played a ball into the attacking third. Larisey cut inside the box to create space for a shot, but her effort was cleared by the Royals' backline.
Utah threatened again in the 52nd minute with a shot from distance that forced a clearance from Campbell. Utah nearly doubled their lead in the 55th minute with a shot from Thompson, but the effort was ultimately ruled offside following a VAR review.
Houston’s next chance of the night came in the 74th minute following a corner from forward Kat Rader who played the ball short to defender Lisa Boattin for the shot, but the Royals goalkeeper was well positioned to make the save and deny the equalizer.
Kate Faasse entered the match for the final 30 minutes of the evening, and she won possession in the 77th minute to set up one of Houston’s most dangerous opportunities of the second half. Rader ultimately dribbled into the box to create space for a shot, but her effort was just wide of the far post.
Rader forced a goal-line clearance moments later after Faasse forced the Utah goalkeeper to challenge for the ball at the edge of the box. Midfielder Sarah Puntigam tallied a shot in the final moments of the game, but her right-footed shot was off target.
Houston’s final opportunity of the match came off Rader’s right foot, but the Utah goalkeeper was well positioned to make the save. The Utah backline cleared the ensuing corner kick prior to the final whistle.
The Dash returns to Shell Energy Stadium on Saturday, May 9 to host Denver Summit FC for Inspiring Women’s Night, presented by United Airlines. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. CT. Tickets for that match and all Houston Dash matches are available HERE via Tixr, the Club’s official ticket provider.
