Dash rebound with 2-0 win in Kansas City
(image via Houston Dash)
The Houston Dash badly wanted to move on from their 3-0 loss at home last weekend. They had to wait until tonight to do try and right the wrongs, traveling to Kansas City to take on the Current. The offense needed to get going and they did just that, scoring twice and getting a match-winning performance out of their goalkeeper.
Houston came out with a front 3 of Michelle Alozie, María Sánchez, and Diana Ordóñez with Ebony Salmon relegated to a bench role. Alozie caused havoc down the right side of the Dash attack from the opening whistle. She drove at the Current defense and set up a shot on goal for Joelle Anderson. It took 42 minutes but it was Alozie who opened up the attack for the Dash goal.
The Nigerian international carried the ball across midfield and then switched the play to Sánchez on the left. The Mexican international found her club and international teammate Ordóñez with a dinked ball into the box and the Dash striker did the rest. Ordóñez did well to hold off Current defender Croix Soto, turning her en route to goal. As she was falling down, Ordóñez drove a low shot past Cassie Miller and into the net to put Houston up 1-0. The Dash would take their lead into the break with a goal that they have searched for, and needed, for some time.
As play began in the second half, goalkeeper Jane Campbell made a big save, going down to her left and then smothering the rebound. It was a big save in the game, and helped the veteran ring in an accomplishment. Campbell became the fifth goalkeeper to reach 10,000 regular-season minutes played and the first to do so with one club. Campbell also became the first Dash player to hit the milestone. Campbell’s save looked to have spurred the team on.
In the 50th minute, Michelle Alozie stung a left-footed shot from outside the box that Miller did well to dive to her right and save. Not long after, in the 54th minute, Houston had another corner. Caprice Dydasco played a perfect ball into the box for fellow defender Ally Prisock to rise up for and head past Miller into the back of the net. Ordóñez looked to have been fouled as the ball was in the air but Prisock took care of any possible controversy to double the Dash lead.
Kansas City had a golden chance to pull a goal back in the 60th minute. The ball was headed away from the penalty spot by the Houston defense but it landed right in the path of Hailie Mace. The wingback rifled a shot with her right foot but Campbell once again came up huge, getting low to turn the shot away and keep the home side off the score sheet.
Kansas City pushed for a goal to get back in the game but the defense and Campbell did enough. It may not have been the prettiest or most efficient way to see out a game but the Dash got it done, securing the three points with a 2-0 victory. Houston will return to Shell Energy Stadium next Saturday to take on the Orlando Pride.
