Racing Louisville Peppers Houston with 19 Shots, Settles for 0-0 Draw

March 24, 2024 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL)
Racing Louisville FC News Release

Racing Louisville FC’s Kayla Fischer versus Houston Dash’s Yuki Nagasato
(Racing Louisville FC)

HOUSTON – Racing Louisville spent most of Saturday night on the front foot at Shell Energy Stadium, barraging the Houston Dash with shots, but the Louisvillians left frustrated by a 0-0 draw.

Houston Dash goalkeeper Jane Campbell made nine saves, including a sprawling dive to her right in the first half that prevented Racing’s best chance of the game, a Reilyn Turner header at the back post.

In all, Racing totaled 19 shots – 10 on target – with 50 final-third entries and four big chances. Opta stats expected Racing to score twice in the match.

“You talk about what it takes to create those types of opportunities, the moments of brilliance, the ideas in the moment, and they’re putting themselves in incredibly good spots,” said Racing coach Bev Yanez. “I also thought (Campbell) had a few good saves tonight. For us, it’s just continuing to test teams. It’s (being) ruthless in the final third and putting games away early. I commend the group and I’m very proud of the group for the opportunities that they created. But obviously, I think if we can continue to create opportunities and put opportunities away, we can look to grab three points on the road.”

Racing (0-0-2, 2 points) posted its first shutout of the young 2024 season, with goalkeeper Katie Lund – in her 50th NWSL appearance – registering her 13th regular-season clean sheet in her career.

Rookie forward Reilyn Turner set a new Racing Louisville record with five shots on goal in the match, and her eight total attempts tied former forward Thembi Kgatlana for another club mark.

Louisville nearly scored 30 seconds into the game when Elexa Bahr won a header on the back post from Carson Pickett’s cross but whistled over the crossbar.

Turner had a fourth-minute goal ruled out for offside, and her sixth-minute chance was perhaps the best of the game, with the UCLA grad clear on goal in a one-on-one moment with Campbell but her shot rolled wide of the far post.

The save of the game was Campbell’s diving effort on Turner’s header midway through the first half. In one of the other top chances of the night, midfielder Kayla Fischer had a toe-poke cleared off the line in the 92nd minute of added time.

“The opportunities were there,” said captain Jaelin Howell. “A lot of the game, we actually outplayed them. That’s the frustrating part. And now…