Houston Dash vs Washington Spirit: Highlights, stats, and quotes
(image via Houston Dash)
The Houston Dash were beaten 3-1 by the Washington Spirit Friday night at Shell Energy Stadium. Natalie Jacobs opened the scoring in the first minute but Washington scored three second half goals to spoil the Dash’s 10th anniversary celebration.
MATCH SUMMARY
Houston Dash 1-3 Washington Spirit
Friday, April 12, 2024
Venue: Shell Energy Stadium - Houston, Texas
Referee: Alyssa Nichols
Assistants: Matthew Schwartz, Art Arustamyan
Fourth Official: Sean Caouette
VAR: Robi Hullner
Attendance: 7,767
Weather: 60 degrees, cloudy skies
SCORING SUMMARY
HOU: Natalie Jacobs (Sarah Puntigam) 1’
WAS: Hal Hershfelt (Ouleye Sarr) 51’
WAS: Brittany Ratcliffe (Casey Krueger) 81’
WAS: Croix Bethune (Gabby Carle) 83’
DISCIPLINE SUMMARY
WAS: Croix Bethune (caution; foul) 24’
HOU: Elin Rubensson (caution; foul) 76’
LINEUPS & STATS
Houston Dash: Jane Campbell (c); Natalie Jacobs (Courtney Petersen 47’), Sophie Schmidt, Sarah Puntigam; Yuki Nagasoto (Havana Solaun 55’), Maria Sanchez, Andressa (Michelle Alozie 63’), Avery Patterson (Kiki Van Zanten, 77’), Elin Rubensson, Amanda West (Cece Kizer 77’), Diana Ordóñez
Unused Substitutes: Emily Alvarado, Belle Bride, Sophie Hirst, Jyllissa Harris
Total shots: 9 (Avery Patterson 3)
Shots on goal: 1 (Natalie Jacobs 1)
Fouls: 13 (Elin Rubensson 4)
Offside: 2 (Natalie Jacobs and Amanda West tied with 1)
Corner kicks: 8
Saves: 4 (Jane Campbell 4)
Washington Spirit: Aubrey Kingsbury (c), Casey Krueger, Annaïg Butel, Tara McKeown, Gabby Carle, Croix Bethune (Chloe Ricketts 89’), Andi Sullivan (Paige Metayer 72’), Hal Hershfelt, Trinity Rodman (Lena Silano 89’), Ouleye Sarr (Brittney Ratcliffe 72’), Ashley Hatch (Courtney Brown 65’)
Unused substitutes: Lyza Bosselmann, Anna Heilferty, Heather Stainbrook
Total shots: 12 (Trinity Rodman 5)
Shots on goal: 7 (Trinity Rodman 3)
Fouls: 6 (Ashley Hatch 2)
Offside: 2 (Tara McKeown and Lena Silano tied with 1)
Corner kicks: 4
Saves: 1 (Aubrey Kingsbury 1)
HOUSTON DASH HEAD COACH FRAN ALONSO
On the match:
“Everything that could go wrong for us went wrong. Losing the only center back we had in the back three at the end of the first half. We were okay in the game. Losing (Natalie Jacobs) with a concussion was very unfortunate for us. We had to make a change. It was very even in the first half. Both teams made mistakes. At the end of the game, we were flat, which is something that we hadn’t seen in the previous two games. It’s not an excuse but we started six players coming from international duty that have jet lag and have been flying, it’s very difficult to finish games strong. You put all that together and you see why we are disappointed tonight.”
On his positive takeaways:
“The set piece plays. Our first goal was a set piece, which is positive. The first half, despite not being at our best. At least we went into halftime with a positive scoreline. That’s another positive. I felt like with the different circumstances we would be able to see the game out and get the three points. We weren’t anywhere near our level, in terms of our physical level and our mental level. I understand the players, but even then, we must be better."
HOUSTON DASH DEFENDER SOPHIE SCHMIDT
On tonight’s game:
“Disappointing results at home on our 10th-anniversary game. This was definitely not the performance we wanted to put on in front of our home crowd but an amazing start to the game. We went forward after a set piece, (Natalie Jacobs) scored after being out due to injury for a while. That was a huge positive. Unfortunately, we didn't create enough chances with all the possessions we had in the first half.”
On the key plays in the game:
“We gave the ball away too cheaply. At times we had a great approach to build out of the back, but not on the first goal we conceded. But other than that, we gave the ball away too cheaply in the midfield. They did a great job of counter pressing. We didn't take care of the ball and I think at times we need to take more risks. We're looking for that perfect opportunity. We need to be more clinical. Take care of the ball. Especially in that final third.”
