The Houston Dash defeated the Boston Breakers 4-1 at BBVA Compass Stadium with a brace from Carli Lloyd and goals from forwards Janine Beckie and Kealia Ohai.
With the victory, the Dash matched the club record for most wins in a season (six) and most wins at home (four) in a season.
The first goal of the game came in the 26th minute as Lloyd found Beckie making a run into the box. The Canadian forward dribbled to the six-yard box and her shot beat Breakers goalkeeper Jami Kranich at the far post.
Ohai scored her league-leading 10th goal of the season in the 35th minute as she finished a cross from Beckie at the near post. Lloyd found Beckie outside the box and her run created space for the team captain to finish unmarked inside the six-yard box.
With one game remaining in the league season, Ohai is tied for the lead on goals scored. Despite not registering her first goal until July 16, Ohai has bagged 10 goals in her last nine games to vault to the head of the NWSL Golden Boot race.
Boston prevented the clean sheet in the 76th minute as second half substitute Elise Krieghoff scored her first goal of the season. Kristie Mewis’ initial shot from outside the box hit the post and Dash defender Cari Roccaro attempted to clear the ball. Krieghoff’s pressure led to a shot outside the six-yard box and her strike beat goalkeeper Lydia Wiliiams at the far post.
Lloyd scored her first goal of the game in the 78th minute from a one-touch pass from Ohai outside the box. The midfielder was unmarked as she collected the ball and beat Kranich at the far post.
Lloyd doubled her tally in the 81st minute after she converted a penalty kick that was awarded for a foul on Denise O’Sullivan inside the 18-yard box. The USWNT co-captain matched her personal high with the Dash for goals in a season with four.
Boston was close to an opening goal in the third minute when Eunice Beckmann’s back-heel shot flirted with the near post.
Ten minutes later Ohai tested her luck from the edge of the box but her shot went over the crossbar.
Natasha Dowie’s long-range effort in first half stoppage time went wide of the near post.
Poliana found O’Sullivan inside the six-yard box but her header was off target in the 50th minute. The Brazilian attempted to collect the rebound but a Breakers defender cleared the danger.
Lloyd was denied her first goal of the game in the 62nd minute after she dribbled past Kranich but her shot was cleared by Kassey Kallman.
Lloyd almost scored her first hat-trick for the club in the 90th minute but her header was wide of the near post. Kranich blocked Ohai’s shot and the rebound fell to Lloyd near the top of the box.
