The Houston Dash have signed Lindsay Elston, Holly Hein, Osinachi Ohale and Dominique Richardson, it was announced today. Per club and league policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.
Elston, Hein and Richardson have been on trial with the club since the start of preseason on March 10, while Ohale joined as a trialist on March 29.
“I’m really pleased to announce the signing of three trialists Holly Hein, Dominique Richardson, and Lindsay Elston along with another international signing in Osinachi Ohale,” head coach Randy Waldrum said. “I’m really proud of how the trialists came here and persevered through three weeks of training before making our roster.
“I think all four will be great additions. Hein has been a very steady center back for us so far, Richardson has impressed with her passing ability and range, and Elston has been very effective and creative up front. Osinachi has been a great addition since we lost Lauren Sesselman to a torn ACL. She has continued to impress with her short time here, and I¹m very happy to add her to the Dash family as well.”
Elston, 21, is a forward from the University of Washington. Elston was a four-year starter for the Huskies, and was also involved with both the U-18 and U-20 U.S. Women’s National Teams. The Sammamish, Wash., native finished her collegiate career in the top 10 of Washington’s all-time goals, assists and points lists. Elston also played for the Seattle Sounders Women in the W-League from 2011-13.
Hein, 22, is a central defender from the University of Michigan. Hein captained the Wolverines in the final two years of her five-year stay with the team. After missing much of her sophomore and junior years with injuries, the Castaic, Calif., native earned first team All-Big Ten honors her last two years. Hein was also a finalist for the Senior CLASS Award in 2013, which was ultimately awarded to current Dash teammate Kealia Ohai.
Ohale (Pronunciation: OH-si-nah-chee OH-hall-ay), 22, is a Nigerian central defender. The central defender previously played for Delta Queens and River Angels in her native country, winning the Nigerian Women’s Premier League with Delta Queens in 2011 and 2012. Ohale, a native of Owerri, Nigeria, has represented Nigeria in international competition 12 times, and started and played 90 minutes in all three of Nigeria’s matches during the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Ohale will occupy an international spot and will be added to the roster pending the receipt of her P-1 visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC).
A versatile midfielder and defender, Richardson, 21, began her route to the Dash at open tryouts on Feb. 15. The Fullerton, Calif., native played four years at Missouri University and was named to the All-SEC first team as a junior in 2012. Richardson started all 82 games in her time at Mizzou, scoring 17 goals and tallying eight assists.
