The Houston Dash fell 2-1 to Portland Thorns FC at Providence Park this afternoon for their first loss in since June 17, snapping a six-game unbeaten streak.
The first goal of the game came in the 12th minute after Thorns defender Meghan Klingenberg’s free kick found forward Tyler Lussi at the far post. The forward headed the ball across the face of goal as defender Emily Sonnett made a run into the six yard box to put it away for her first goal of the season.
Houston equalized in the 33rd minute after Carli Lloyd converted a penalty kick that beat goalkeeper Adrianna Franch at the bottom corner of the left post. Houston earned the penalty after midfielder Caity Heap was brought down in the box by Lindsey Horan. The midfielder was attempting to get to a pass from midfielder Janine Beckie.
The final goal of the game came in the 39th minute after Klingenberg’s cross was rejected inside the box, Lussi won the rebound at the edge of the six yard box and beat Dash goalkeeper Jane Campbell at the far post.
Houston’s first scoring opportunity of the match came in the 18th minute as Lloyd found Beckie outside the box. The Canadian international found defender Camille Levin near the penalty spot, where she created space for a pass that found Nichelle Prince at the edge of the box. The forward’s shot was on target but handled by Franch.
Houston almost equalized in the 27th minute when Beckie’s corner kick found Lloyd near the penalty spot. The captain’s header was redirected by defender Cami Privett into the goal, but Privett was called offside.
Heap made her first start of the season, and in the 43rd minute the Texas Tech product forced a save from Franch with a shot from the edge of the box. The resulting corner kick found Privett at the far post but her header went over the top corner of the near post.
Midfielder Lindsey Horan was inches away from scoring the third Portland goal in the 69th minute. The midfielder’s header was saved by Campbell at the bottom corner of the near post.
