Houston Dash secured their first home win of the season against Courage
The Houston Dash secured their first home win of the season in emphatic fashion, defeating the North Carolina Courage 3-0 at Shell Energy Stadium on Friday night. This victory marks the Dash's third win overall this season.
Dash Take Charge in the First Half
Houston seized the lead just before halftime. Rookie Avery Patterson displayed impressive composure, winning the ball near the penalty area. She then found forward Ramona Bachmann, who delivered a powerful shot that found the bottom corner of the far post, marking her first goal in the NWSL.
Second Half Seals the Deal
The Dash doubled their lead in the 67th minute. Michelle Alozie showcased her dribbling skills, weaving her way into the box. She then passed the ball back to Barbara Olivieri, a Katy, Texas native, who slotted it home for her first NWSL goal as well.
Diana Ordóñez put the game out of reach for the Courage in the 78th minute. Alozie's persistence forced a save from the North Carolina goalkeeper, leaving the rebound perfectly positioned for the Mexican international to tap in, adding to her season goal tally which now stands at four.
Key Players Shine
Bachmann initiated Houston's offensive pressure early on, finding Olivieri in a dangerous position just five minutes into the game. Olivieri and Paige Nielsen, who scored the winning goal against Angel City FC and has contributed to three clean sheets, both had shots on target but were unable to convert.
Alozie continued to be a threat throughout the match, forcing a save in the 23rd minute and attempting another header in the 36th minute.
The Dash's defensive line stood strong, with Natalie Jacobs and Tarciane (making her NWSL debut!) combining to block consecutive shots from Narumi Miura in the 60th minute. Tarciane's debut adds another chapter to the Dash's history of featuring Brazilian players, making her the eighth Brazilian to play for the team.
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