Houston Dash vs Washington Spirit: Highlights, stats, and quotes

(image via Houston Dash)

The Houston Dash earned a point at home after a 1-1 draw against the Washington Spirit Saturday night. Maria Sánchez scored in second half stoppage time to tie the game.

MATCH SUMMARY

Houston Dash 1-1 Washington Spirit

Saturday, August 20, 2023

Venue: Shell Energy Stadium - Houston, Texas

Referee: Eric Tattersall

Assistants: Chris Canales, Alicia Messer

Fourth Official: Jalen Gray

VAR: Luis Guardia

Attendance: 4,822

Weather: 100 degrees, sunny

SCORING SUMMARY

WAS: Ashley Sancez (Ouleymata Sarr) 63’

HOU: Maria Sánchez (Ebony Salmon) 90+1’

DISCIPLINE SUMMARY

HOU: Michelle Alozie (caution; foul) 21’

LINEUPS & STATS

Houston Dash: Jane Campbell, Caprice Dydasco, Katie Lind, Natalie Jacobs, Michelle Alozie, Sarah Puntigam, Joelle Anderson, Sophie Schmidt (c), María Sánchez, Ebony Salmon, Cameron Tucker 

Unused Substitutes: Emily Alvarado, Madelyn Desiano, Ryan Gareis, Ally Prisock

Total shots: 21 (Joelle Anderson and Ebony Salmon tied with 4)

Shots on goal: 8 (Ebony Salmon 4)

Fouls: 6 (six players tied with 1)

Offside: 2 (Ebony Salmon and Cameron Tucker tied with 1)

Corner kicks: 10

Saves: 2 (Jane Campbell 2)

Washington Spirit: Aubrey Kingsbury (c), Gabrielle Carle, Sam Staab, Tara McKeown, Dorian Bailey, Paige Metayer, Amber Brooks, Lena Silano, Chloe Ricketts, Camryn Biegalski, Ashley Hatch 

Unused substitutes: Lyza Bosselmann, Nicole Barnhart, Annaig Butel 

Total shots: 8 (Ashley Hatch 3)

Shots on goal: 3 (Paige Metayer, Ashley Hatch and Ashley Sanchez tied with 1)

Fouls: 7 (Paige Metayer and Lena Silano tied with 2)

Offside: 1 (Ashley Hatch 1)

Corner kicks: 2

Saves: 8 (Aubrey Kingsbury 8)

HOUSTON DASH HEAD COACH SAM LAITY

On the performance:

"I'm very proud of the team. Prior to the performance. What I asked from the team before the game was to put in a performance individually that they could be proud of as an individual and put a performance that their teammates could be proud of. They hit the mark on that, no doubt about it. I'm delighted with the determination. We bounced forward pretty quick. We didn't react to going a goal down in a negative manner. We were in the ascendancy for a long time before they scored. We had 10 players on the field when they scored off the throw in. Sarah Puntingam was out with an injury. That will be something we've got to look at fixing in terms of game management. Very proud of the team. Looking at the statistics, looking at the chances we had, that's the game that we should be walking away with three points. It sets us up really nicely for next week against Kansas City. I thought there were some really good individual performances. The team put in a solid performance with one chance in the first half, they had the chance in the second half. Where they scored comes from nothing, apart from that, I don't really remember Jane (Campbell) having to do anything. I'm proud of the group."

On Nichelle Prince’s return:

"It's brilliant, I'm pretty happy for her. Happy for the team, happy for the club, happy for me. She was a massive part of the success last year. To have her back on the field for this last part of the season is really exciting for her and us. Gives us a different dimension, a different edge. We've got to be patient with her because it's a massive injury but buzzing. She just brings an energy. Brilliance takes a spark, right? She's got a spark. We're all happy to have her back."

On the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup:

"I thought there would be some teams that would get to the quarterfinals, semifinal, that people wouldn't think that they would. That's brilliant for the World Cup. That's what the World Cup's about, right? Giving a voice and giving a medium for the players from Nigeria, from South Africa, from Jamaica to give them the visibility, not just that we exist, but we exist and we're talented and we have something to offer. That is amazing. Best World Cup yet."

HOUSTON DASH FORWARD MARIA SANCHEZ

On the match:

“It was it was a good match. I'm just happy we were able to come back and get a point at home and the crowd was great. We prepared all week for this game and I'm just very grateful that we were able to get the team a goal."

On her goal:

"We've been talking about the importance of the near post run. I talked to Ebony (Salmon) after the game. She said she just hit it really hard for a cross. Thankfully. I don't even know how I scored that. I just put my leg out and hope for the best. I looked up and it was in the goal. I'm just very happy that we were able to get that tonight."

On scoring:

"We deserved it. There's been many games where sometimes we're unlucky and we create a lot of opportunities and we're not able to put it away. It was a goal that the team deserved. I don't think anybody gave up. We were very close at the end to even get the win. That shows who we are as a team and that we fight till the end of the game."

HOUSTON DASH FORWARD NICHELLE PRINCE

On her return to the team:

"It was exciting. The team came out and played really well. I think that we're at that point of the season where we know we have to get points. The team battled for a full 90 minutes and it was exciting to get back into my first game. It was really exciting just to get that first game back and at home in front of the fans. It was super special.”

On making an impact in her first minutes on the field:

”I just wanted to make an impact on this team. Whatever role I have, how many minutes I get, I want to be able to come in and whatever time I have just use my experience, my skill and my strengths to try to make an impact on the team. I came in with like 30 minutes left and had to try to do whatever I could to try to motivate the team and get some momentum."

On her goals for this year:

"At the beginning of the season, being in the stands in a boot and not knowing what the rest of the year was going to look like but knowing that I wanted to be back on the field and try to make an impact at some point this year. My goal has always been to try to get back, to play this year and to make an impact. We're in a good spot. We need to get a few more points. We have a good chance of making the playoffs. I'm coming into a season where I'm fresh and I'm excited. I'm hoping that I can bring that momentum to this team at a time where sometimes it can get hard."