The Houston Dash defeated Texas Tech University 5-0 at Houston Sports Park this afternoon in their final preseason game prior to the 2019 NWSL regular season.
Dash captain Kealia Ohai tallied the first goal of the game in the 19th minute after she capitalized on a rebound inside the six yard box. Midfielder Christine Nairn controlled a cross inside the box and played a low pass to an oncoming midfielder Sofia Huerta who forced a save at the near post. Ohai pounced on the loose ball inside the six yard box for the first goal of the game.
Midfielder Sophie Schmidt doubled Houston’s lead in the 57th minute off a cross from Huerta at the near post. The Canadian international tucked the ball away at the near post for her first preseason goal with the club. Schmidt will join defenders Lindsay Agnew, Allysha Chapman and forward Nichelle Prince on international duty next week as Canada travel to the United Kingdom to face England in Manchester on April 5.
Forward Jamia Fields bagged the first of two goals in the 74th minute after she headed a cross inside the box. Two minutes later the forward dribbled past a defender and beat the Texas Tech goalkeeper with a low shot to the far post.
Forward CeCe Kizer scored the final goal of the game in the 81st minute with a curling effort from the edge of the box. The Ole Miss product dribbled along the top of the box to create space and beat the goalkeeper at the near post for the fifth goal of the game.
Houston was close to the opening goal in the 16th minute after defender Amber Brooks found Schmidt at the near post, but her header was off target.
Prince forced a save with a right-footed shot from the edge of the box in the 51st minute that was tipped over the crossbar by the Tech goalkeeper.
Houston returns to HSP next week to put the final touches on their preparation for the NWSL regular season. Houston will open the year at 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 14 at BBVA Compass Stadium against Megan Rapinoe, Allie Long and Reign FC. Tickets for the match are on sale and start at $15, at HoustonDashSoccer.com or by phone at 713-276-4625 (GOAL).
