The Houston Dash got their first-ever win at BBVA Compass Stadium and stretched their winning streak to three games with a 2-1 win over the Western New York Flash on a warm Wednesday night in Houston.
The Dash felt as if they should have taken the lead in the 34th minute of the match after Kealia Ohai’s shot beat Lydia Williams but hit off the inside of the far post. The ball rebounded right into the path of Tiffany McCarty, but her follow-up attempt on the open net flew inches wide.
McCarty redeemed herself five minutes later, though, picking up a loose ball in the attacking third after an Ella Masar tackle. The second-year striker turned her defender as she collected the ball and unleashed a curling shot from the edge of the penalty area for her third goal in two games.
Western New York controlled possession for most of the first half, but they got the equalizer off a Dash defensive mistake in the 62nd minute. Marissa Diggs appeared to lose her balance as she attempted to stop a ball at the corner of the penalty area, allowing Adriana Martin to collect and chip Dash goalkeeper Erin McLeod, who had come off her line.
The Dash, eager to get their first win in front of the home crowd, wasted no time in retaking the lead. Two minutes after the Flash goal, Jasmyne Spencer brought down Kaylyn Kyle in the box and referee Matt Mercier pointed to the penalty spot. The Dash had earned penalties that were saved in their previous two home matches, but Teresa Noyola stepped up for the spot kick and sent Williams the wrong way for the winning goal. Noyola also scored a winning penalty in the Dash’s win at the Boston Breakers on April 20.
Houston was able to hang on to the result without too much of a threat from the Flash, as McLeod was only forced into one save in the second half and three saves total.
The Dash now turn their sights to FC Kansas City for another home match this Saturday. Western New York returns to Sahlen’s Stadium for a midweek clash against the Chicago Red Stars on June 18.
Houston Dash (4-7-1; 13 points) vs. Western New York Flash (4-6-2; 14 points)
NWSL regular season
June 11, 2014 – BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston, Texas
Attendance: 4,483
Scoring Summary:
Houston: Tiffany McCarty 4 (unassisted) 39
Western New York: Adrianna Martin 1 (unassisted) 62
Houston: Teresa Noyola 3 (penalty) 64
Western New York Flash: Lydia Williams; Katherine Reynolds, Brittany Taylor, Kathryn Williamson (Amy Barczuk 65), Kristen Edmonds; McCall Zerboni, Angela Salem, Vicky Losada, Samantha Kerr (Courtney Wetzel 59); Jasmyne Spencer, Sonia Bermudez (Adriana Martin 53)
Unused Substitutes: Kelsey Wys
Houston Dash: Erin McLeod; Arianna Romero, Osinachi Ohale, Marissa Diggs, Stephanie Ochs; Kaylyn Kyle (Kelly McFarlane 82), Ella Masar (Teresa Noyola 63), Becky Edwards; Kealia Ohai, Rafaelle Souza (Jordan Jackson 67), Tiffany McCarty
Unused substitutes: Bianca Henninger, Dominique Richardson, Tori McCombs
Misconduct Summary:
HOU: Kaylyn Kyle (caution) 12
WNYF: Angela Salem (caution) 60
Referee: Matt Mercier
Assistant Referees: Mark Boyko, Christina Hutchinson
Fourth Official: Greg Boles
