Dash snap losing streak with crucial win over Racing Louisville
(image via NWSL)
The Houston Dash traveled to Kentucky knowing that if they wanted to keep their faint playoff hopes alive, they needed a win against Racing Louisville. Sarah Lowdon, taking over as interim head coach, wanted to shake things up and once again show what she could do in charge. Lowdown’s tactics looked to invigorate some life into the Dash, and with their defense once again picking up another clean sheet, Houston grabbed a 1-0 on the road over Racing Louisville.
Andressa Alves, making her first start for the Dash, was involved early and often in the attack. The Brazilian got on the end of a Caprice Dydasco in the 5th minute but her header was over the bar. In the 17th minute, Andressa got another chance on her head, but once again couldn’t keep the shot down.
Jane Campbell kept the Dash in the game, as she’s done all season. Houston’s goalkeeper made a big save in the 14th minute to deny a Kirsten Davis breakaway. Campbell came up big again in the 43rd minute. Louisville defender Maddie Pokorny tried a looping shot from distance but Campbell was able to get up and push the ball away. The rebound landed to Davis right in front of goal but she fluffed the shot and couldn’t put it on net.
Houston looked good in the first half with Lowdon rolling out some new tactics. Sarah Puntigam played left back, staying home more and allowing Dydasco to get forward on the right. This is similar to what we’ve seen from Ben Olsen’s Dynamo this season. Andressa's presence in the middle of the field was also big for a Dynamo team that has lacked creativity in that area of the field all season. The teams went into the half tied 0-0, with the Dash feeling good about how they played.
Maria Sanchez looked like a different player playing under Lowdon and she began to take hold of the game early in the second half. After Marisa Viggiano sent a shot into the seats in the 50th minute, Sanchez showed her skills on the left hand side, looking to draw a foul in the box in the 53rd minute. The referee was having none of it and the teams played on. Just moments later though, the Mexican international got her revenge. Sanchez was played through on the left hand side. Given time to cross on her magical left foot, she lofted a cross to Diana Ordonez who rose at the back post and headed past Louisville goalkeeper Kate Lund to give Houston a 1-0 lead in the 54th minute.
Louisville pushed forward late in the match as they chased an equalizer. Campbell and the Houston back line once again were up to the task. The home side peppered the Dash 18 yard box in the final five minutes of the game but Campbell’s goal could not be unlocked.
The win moves the Dash to 9th in the table, now just three points behind 6th place Washington for the final playoff spot. Another road test awaits next for Houston as they’ll travel to New Jersey to take on Gotham FC next Sunday night. Gotham are just four points ahead of Houston after tonight’s win, setting up another big match in the NWSL playoff hunt.
