The Houston Dash extended their unbeaten streak to six games with a 1-0 victory over the Boston Breakers this evening at BBVA Compass Stadium, setting a new club record for the longest stretch without a defeat. Kickoff for the match was delayed by 85 minutes from its originally-scheduled 7:37 start time due to lightning in the area surrounding BBVA Compass Stadium, ultimately kicking off at 9:02 p.m. CDT.
Dash midfielder Andressinha found forward Nichelle Prince outside the box in the 23rd minute for the first goal of the game. The Canadian forward outran a defender to Andressinha’s through ball, and her low shot beat Boston goalkeeper Abby Smith at the near post for her third goal of the season.
Andressinha’s free kick in the fifth minute was the first shot on goal of the game. Houston was awarded the free kick after captain Carli Lloyd suffered a foul at the edge of the box. The Brazilian’s free kick curled over the wall but right into the waiting hands of Smith.
Two minutes later, Boston forward Adriana Leon’s cross into the box found midfielder Rosie White, but her shot deflected off underside of the crossbar and away from the goal, keeping Houston’s clean sheet intact.
Boston’s final scoring opportunity of the first half came in the 27th minute as Leon’s cross went across the face of goal past the outstretched leg of forward Katie Stengel at the back post.
Houston’s first scoring opportunity of the second half came in the 54th minute after Prince dribbled for more than 30 yards to play a ball to forward Rachel Daly outside the box. Before Daly could unleash a shot, she was dispossessed by a Boston defender at the touchline to quell the danger.
Boston forward Margaret Purce forced a last-ditch save from Dash goalkeeper Jane Campbell in the 60th minute after a defensive error facilitated a shot for Boston inside the box.
Lloyd almost tallied her second goal of the season with a shot from the edge of the box in the 73rd minute that was tipped over the bar by Smith for her seventh save of the game.
Forward Janine Beckie intercepted a pass from Smith outside the box in the 82nd minute, but couldn’t capitalize on the goalkeeper’s mistake as her shot went just wide of the near post.
The Dash are off next weekend as six players – midfielders Carli Lloyd and Morgan Brian and goalkeeper Jane Campbell of the United States; midfielder Andressinha and defender Bruna Benites of Brazil; and goalkeeper Lydia Williams of Australia – will compete in the Tournament of Nations at venues along America’s West Coast.
The club’s next NWSL game is on August 5 at the Portland Thorns. The Dash next return home on Sunday, August 13 against FC Kansas City at 7:30 p.m.
