A rematch of their previously rained out game, the Washington Spirit took on the Houston Dash Thursday night, ending the Olympic Break. After an early exit from Rio by the United States, Ali Krieger joined her team in Texas, starting and playing every minute in her team’s 2-1 victory
Narin penalty kick gives the Spirit the lead in the first half
Washington started with the ball but immediately sent it up the field where it was received by the Dash. The beginning of the game seemed to follow that pattern, with neither team being able to string together more than a few passes at a time. Christine Nairn was aggressive up top for the spirit early in the game. Houston almost got their first shot off in the eighth minute, but it is blocked. A cross from Cheyna Williams a minute later bounced around in the box, creating a variety of chances, but they too were blocked.
The Spirit got their first corner in the tenth minute, taken by Narin, and it was immediately sent out for another corner. Tori Huster settled that one for a half-volley, but her shot went just wide of the goal. Kealia Ohai was a force up top for Houston, evenly matched against Krieger, and she got a shot on target in the 15th minute. Narin tangled with Ellie Brush and went down in the box in the 25th minute, requiring a trainer to come onto the field. She left the field but came back just in time to take the penalty kick that the Spirit was awarded when Williams was fouled in the box. She converted the spot kick, putting her team up 1-0 in the 30th minute.
Cali Farquharson got a shot off for her team in the 33rd, but it was deflected out for a corner. Ohai did not settle, though, and she continued to fight down the line, getting a cross off in the 45th minute, but no one was there to finish. Both teams continued to get shots off through stoppage time, but nothing came of them and the Dash entered the half trailing Washington by one.
Another goal from Narin proves to be too much for the Dash to come back from
The Dash started the second half strong, creating an opportunity in the 46th minute, but it was cleared. The Spirit took another corner in the 51st minute, but the shot from Farquharson was saved. Krieger got a shot a minute later, but it was sent over the crossbar. Denise O’Sullivan took a shot from outside of the box, but it was saved by Kelsey Wys. Chioma Ubogagu created many chances for her team throughout the half, keeping Washington’s defenders on their toes. Nairn got a brace in the 63rd minute, taking a shot from 35 yards out that catches Bianca Henninger off her line, and the Spirit went up 2-0. The Dash were not discouraged and continued to get multiple opportunities.
Amber Brooks dribbled into the box and got a shot in the 67th minute, and a misplaced backpass from Whitney Church nearly led to a Dash goal, but Wys comes up quickly to clear it. The Texas team continued to get shots and corners and were finally rewarded for their efforts when Ohai scored in the 90th minute, lessening their deficit to one. The goal came too late, though, and Washington won 2-1, securing their place at the top of the table.