Kealia Ohai Scores the Winning Goal for Houston Dash

The Dash stun Orlando Pride early in the game and secure their first win at home this season.

Photo credit: Michael J. Cox/Keeper Notes

Houston, TX – The Houston Dash hosted Orlando Pride looking to recover from last week’s loss against the North Carolina Courage. Tonight’s match was also important for the Houston Dash as some of their players would be traveling to join their national teams for the FIFA Women’s World Cup during the next couple of days.

The Dash opened the scoreline early, in the 7th minute to be exact, with a beautiful goal by the captain, Kealia Ohai. After a great long pass by Sofia Huerta that reaches Ohai out on the left wing, she dribbles the ball past Erin Greening and cuts back into the box. Ohai then sends a curling shot past Haley Kopmeyer to give the Dash the lead in the game.

Yes, it was awesome for me to score. It’s always hard for a forward when you haven’t gotten the first goal of the season. It’s always in the back of my mind so I’m happy I scored.

Kealia Ohai – Houston Dash forward

The Dash found an opportunity to double their lead in the 28th minute with a counter attack. Sophie Schmidt sends a long ball that finds Rachel Daly one on one against Haley Kopmeyer, but she keeps her ground and denies Daly her second goal of the season.

Orlando pressed hard looking for the equalizer but were not able to break apart the Dash defense.

It was until the 36th minute when Orlando Pride found a dangerous opportunity on Jane Campbell‘s goal. Rachel Hill sends a cross that finds Marta‘s head, but her shot hits the crossbar and the Dash defense is able to clear the ball away.

Orlando found the back of the net in the 52nd minute of the game, but Rachel Hill was in an offside position, invalidating the play.

In the end, the Houston Dash were able to hang on to their one goal lead to give them their first win at home in the 2019 NWSL season. This is also the Dash’s best start with a first year head coach in their history.

Coach James Clarkson was pleased about tonight’s win and mentioned that this result is beneficial to keep momentum growing as they lose their World Cup players.

Making the most of having everybody here is important, but we’ve planned for this. We know it’s coming, and we feel that the squad that we’ve got is really good. Through this world cup period the work that we have been putting in, and will continue to do, will pay off for us.”

James Clarkson – Houston Dash coach

The Dash visit the Utah Royals next Saturday at 2:30pm and return on May 19 against the Chicago Red Stars.