Dash Fall 2-0 to OL Reign in Regular Season Home Finale
September 25, 2022 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Houston Dash News Release
HOUSTON – The Houston Dash dropped their final home game of the regular season, losing by a final score of 2-0 to OL Reign tonight in front of a season-high 7,798 fans at PNC Stadium.
The Reign took the lead in the 29th minute following a second chance goal score by forward Bethany Balcer. Forward Megan Rapinoe played the ball into the box for three streaking attackers. Houston defender Allysha Chapman cut out the initial ball, but the ball deflected off another player and rolled dangerously in front of the goal. Balcer was the first to it and tapped it into the back of the net.
OL Reign extended its lead in the 75th minute when forward Veronica Latsko scored.
Houston opened the second half aggressively, creating three chances inside the first five minutes. Forward Michelle Alozie creating a chance down the right flank in the 47th minute. Her initial centering ball was blocked, but the rebound fell to midfielder Marisa Viggiano, whose shot whistled over the crossbar.
A minute later, midfielder Sophie Schmidt forced a save with a right-footed blast from outside the penalty area. Then in the 50th minute, forward Maria Sánchez hit the woodwork with a free kick from the right corner of the box after Alozie won a foul.
Forward Valérie Gauvin, who was a halftime substitute, turned a centering pass on target with her first touch from the top of the penalty area, forcing a save from OL Reign goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce.
The Dash had a shout for a handball go unanswered in the 73rd minute when Sánchez’s shot from distance appeared to deflect off the arm of an OL Reign defender, but referee Matt Thompson waved off the shouts and play continued.
Tonight’s crowd of 7,798 was the largest of the year, surpassing the crowd for the regular season home opener against San Diego on May 1, and was the fourth-largest for a Dash home game in team history.
Houston closes out the regular season on the road in Washington D.C. against the Spirit on October 1. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. CT, the game will be streamed live on Paramount+ and on Twitch for international viewers.
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Houston Dash (9-6-6; 33 pts.) 0-2 OL Reign (10-4-7, 37 pts.) 2022 NWSL Regular Season – Game 21 PNC Stadium – Houston, Texas Attendance: 7,798
SCORING SUMMARYâ¯
TEAM⯠1H 2H FT Houston Dash 0 0 0 OL Reign 1 1 2
RGN: Bethany Balcer (unassisted) 29 RGN: Veronica Latsko (unassisted) 76
LINEUPS: Houston Dash: Jane Campbell (C); Allysha Chapman (Valerie Gauvin 46), Ally Prisock, Katie Naughton, Caprice Dydasco (Natalie Jacobs 69); Marisa Viggiano (Emily Ogle 75), Sophie Schmidt, Ryan Gareis; Maria Sanchez, Michelle Alozie (Bri Visalli 69), Nichelle Prince (Shea Groom 81)
Unused substitutes: Lindsey Harris, Michaela Abam, Elizabeth Eddy, Joelle Anderson
Total shots: 17 (Ally Prisock, Maria Sánchez, Sophie Schmidt 3); Shots on goal: 3 (Valérie Gauvin 2); Fouls: 17 (Michelle Alozie, Sophie Schmidt 4); Offside: 0 (N/A); Corner kicks: 7; Saves: 1 (Jane Campbell 1)
OL Reign: Phallon Tullis-Joyce; Lauren Barnes (Phoebe McClernon 65), Sam Hiatt, Alana Cook, Sofia Huerta; Jess Fishlock (Nikki Stanton 72) Quinn (Olivia Van der Jagt 65); Megan Rapinoe (Olivia Athens 90+2), Rose Lavelle, Bethany Balcer (Jordyn Huitema 46); Veronica Latsko
Unused substitutes: Marley Canales, Claudia Dickey, Laurel Ivory, Tziarra King
Total shots: 8 (Veronica Latsko 3); Shots on goal: 3 (Bethany Balcer, Veronica Latsko, Rose Lavelle 1); Fouls: 7 (Veronica Latsko 3); Offside: 7 (Megan Rapinoe 4); Corner kicks: 3; Saves: 3 (Phallon Tullis-Joyce 3)
DISCIPLINE:â¯â¯ RGN: Jess Fishlock (caution; dissent) 61 HOU: Sophie Schmidt (caution; dissent) 61 RGN: Megan Rapinoe (caution; time wasting) 68 HOU: Bri Visalli (caution; foul) 78 HOU: Shea Groom (caution; foul) 87
OFFICIALS:â¯â¯ Referee: Matt Thompson Assistant Referee: Katarzyna Wasiak Assistant Referee: Austin Holt Fourth Official: Kaitlyn Trowbridge
Weather:â¯86 degrees, mostly clear
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