June 12, 2022 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Portland Thorns FC News Release
PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC notched a 4-0 shutout win on the road against the Houston Dash on Sunday evening at PNC Stadium. Sophia Smith recorded a brace for a team-leading six goals in the 2022 campaign, while Olivia Moultrie scored her first career regular season goal, becoming the youngest player to do so in NWSL history. Smith and Moultrie also each added an assist in the match. Additionally, Bella Bixby registered her fourth shutout of the season.
The Unstoppable Sophia Smith
Smith tallied two goals and an assist, recording her second career multi-goal game. In Portland’s last four matches, Smith has recorded four goals and two assists. It also marked the first time Smith has scored a goal and tallied an assist in a single game. Two of Smith’s last three goals have come through penalty kicks, successfully converting her only career attempts (2).
Moultrie Making History
Moultrie made history today when she scored her first career regular season goal, becoming the youngest player in NWSL history to do so at 16 years, eight months and 26 days old. Moultrie, who also earned her first start of the season in today’s victory, tallied the third goal of the match and went on to assist the fourth goal. It marked Moultrie’s second career regular season assist. Notably, Moultrie has scored her two professional goals against Houston. She tallied her first goal in the 2021 Women’s ICC on August 18, 2021, at Providence Park in a 2-2 draw against the Dash.
Thorns on the Road
Tonight’s match marked the second road match for Portland in four days. In the four-day stretch, Thorns FC picked up four points, scoring six goals and tallying three assists in both matches combined (San Diego Wave FC, Houston Dash). Portland has yet to drop a result on the road in the 2022 campaign, earning five of nine possible points as the visiting team (1-0-2). In those three matches, Thorns FC scored eight goals and conceded four. Dating back to the end of the 2021 season, Portland is unbeaten in its last five regular-season road matches with a record of 2-0-3. Additionally, Portland is unbeaten in its last seven regular season road matches at Houston (5-0-2), dating back to July 8, 2017.
Goal-Scoring Plays
POR – Katie Naughton (own goal), 1st minute: Hina Sugita dribbled down the left wing and crossed the ball into the middle of the box, where Katie Naughton attempted to block the cross, but…
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