HOUSTON (Oct. 3, 2025) – The Houston Dash earned a 1-1 draw against the Orlando Pride at Shell Energy Stadiumtonight behind defender Malia Berkely’s first goal of the season. Berkely became the 13th player to score for the Dash this year, setting a club record for most individual goal scorers in a single campaign.
The Dash opened the scoring in the 62nd minute after defender Michelle Alozie was fouled just outside the box, earning a free kick. Berkely capitalized on the opportunity with a right-footed finish from inside the six-yard box, assisted by defender Avery Patterson for her second of the campaign. The Dash have now scored in their last 10 regular season matches at home.
Orlando found the equalizer in the 84th minute when Simone Charley rose up for a header inside the box following a cross from Hayle McCutcheon.
Additionally, tonight’s match saw defender Allysha Chapman reach 10,000 minutes in league play today coming on in the second half. She is the second Dash player to reach this milestone this season.
Dash goalkeeper Abby Smith was called into action in the fourth minute and she was well positioned to deny Ally Watt at the near post. Smith finished with five saves against Orlando.
Houston’s first opportunity of the game came in the 12th minute off the right foot of midfielder Kiki van Zanten. The Jamaican international forced a save at the far post with a shot from just outside the box.
Forward Messiah Bright followed up with a chance minutes later, but her effort from inside the box was wide of the left post. The Dash created another dangerous opportunity in the 23rd minute when midfielder Delanie Sheehan played a ball into the box for Patterson. The defender struck a left-footed shot on target, but the Orlando goalkeeper was quick to make the save.
The Dash threatened again in the 29th minute, this time through Berkely. The center back stepped into space and took a right-footed shot from outside the box, but her effort was off target.
Smith came up big again in first-half stoppage time, reacting quickly to deny Watt’s left-footed shot from inside the box to preserve the deadlock heading into the locker room at halftime.
Houston’s first threat of the second half came through van Zanten, whose attempt inside the box was blocked by the Orlando backline. Smith was called into action in the 52nd minute, making back-to-back saves to keep the match level. First, denying a left-footed effort from Jacqueline Ovalle, followed by a close-range header from McCutcheon inside the box.
The Dash will travel to Los Angeles next weekend to face Angel City FC on Sunday, Oct. 12 at BMO Stadium. Fans can watch the match live on ESPN. The team will return to Houston on Saturday, Oct. 18 to host the Kansas City Current for Fan Appreciation Night, presented by MD Anderson. Tickets for that match are available HERE.
