Western New York Flash forward Lynn Williams’ late second half goal salvaged a draw for the visitors at BBVA Compass Stadium this evening in a 3-3 match with the Houston Dash. Houston has now picked up five points out of the last three games after losing six consecutive games by identical 1-0 score lines.
The Flash pressed early and the first goal of the game came in the second minute when Lianne Sanderson got on the end of Williams’ cross inside the six-yard box.
Dash forward Rachel Daly equalized seconds before the first hydration break of the game with a 30-yard shot that beat Flash goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland at the near post. That was Daly’s fourth goal of the season and she is the first player this season to score in three consecutive games for the Dash.
Kealia Ohai, scored Houston’s second goal of the game in the 47th minute with a box-to-box effort that spanned more than 60 yards. The forward reached Western New York’s penalty spot and beat Rowland at the near post.
Houston’s final goal of the game came in the 63rd minute when Stephanie Ochs found Ohai at the edge of the box. The captain’s shot deflected off a Western New York defender to the far post.
Jessica McDonald scored her seventh goal of the season in the 70th minute. The former Dash forward was unmarked outside the six-yard box and got on the end of a cross from Williams.
The final goal of the game came in the third minute of stoppage time. McDonald found Williams inside the box and her shot beat Dash goalkeeper Bianca Henninger at the near post.
Western New York almost doubled their lead in the seventh minute when Williams’ cross was handled by Henninger inches in front of the goal line.
Houston’s final opportunity of the first half came in the 41st minute as Denise O’Sullivan’s shot from the top of the box missed the far post.
Ochs’ left-footed shot outside the box in the 80th minute sailed over the crossbar missing the mark by a few inches.
Houston and the National Women’s Soccer League will take a break for the soccer tournament at Olympic Games. The Dash return to BBVA Compass Stadium at 7 p.m. on Aug. 18 to host the Washington Spirit. This match was postponed in May due to inclement weather around the stadium. For tickets and additional information, visit HoustonDashSoccer.com/Tickets.
Houston Dash (3-7-3, 12 points) vs. Western New York Flash (8-5-2, 26 points)
NWSL Regular Season
July 30, 2016—BBVA Compass Stadium—Houston, Texas
Attendance: 4,329
Scoring Summary:
WNY: Lianne Sanderson 2 (Lynn Williams 2) 3
HOU: Rachel Daly 4 (unassisted) 31
HOU: Kealia Ohai 2 (unassisted) 47
HOU: Kealia Ohai 3 (Stephanie Ochs 1) 63
WNY: Jessica McDonald 7 (Lynn Williams 3) 70
WNY: Lynn Williams 8 (Jessica McDonald 6) 90+3
1 2 F
Houston Dash 1 2 3
Western New York Flash 1 2 3
Houston Dash Lineup: Bianca Henninger; Cami Privett, Ellie Brush, Cari Roccaro, Becca Moros; Amber Brooks; Kealia Ohai ©, Denise O’Sullivan (Caity Heap 86), Stephanie Ochs (Megan Crosson 88); Melissa Henderson (Tessa Florio-Gavilsky 76), Rachel Daly
Subs not used: Monica Alvarado, Kate Scheele, Chioma Ubogagu, Caroline Van Slambrouck
Western New York Flash Lineup: Katelyn Rowland; Elizabeth Eddy (Michaela Hahn 71), Abby Dahlkemper, Courtney Niemiec, Jaelene Hinkle; Makenzy Doniak (Janice Cayman 71), Taylor Smith, Lianne Sanderson (Kristen Hamilton 83), McCall Zerboni; Jessica McDonald ©, Lynn Williams
Subs not used: Britt Eckerstrom, Adriana Leon, Meredith Speck
Misconduct Summary:
HOU: Caity Heap (caution) 89
WNY: Jaelene Hinkle (caution) 90+3
WNY: Abby Dahlkemper (caution) 90+6
Referee: Matthew Franz
Assistant Referees: Francisco Bermudez, Amber O’Connor
Fourth Official: Ruben Campillo
