March 31, 2024 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL)
Houston Dash News Release
SAN JOSE, Calif. – The Houston Dash earned their first victory of the season following a 3-2 triumph over Bay FC at PayPal Park earlier today. Midfielder Havana Solaun scored the game-winning goal in the final moments of the match. Bay FC initially cleared a cross from forward María Sánchez, but the ball fell to Solaun for her first goal in league play.
Houston equalized in the 66th minute after Sánchez found Diana Ordóñez at the far post. The Mexican international headed the ball toward the far post for her first goal of the season.
The Dash were awarded a penalty kick in the 86th minute after referee Abdou Ndiaye reviewed a handball inside the box. Ordóñez took the ensuing penalty kick, and her initial effort was saved, but the forward was quick to react to the rebound for the go-ahead goal.
Bay FC scored the match’s opening goal in the 19th minute after forward Deyna Castellanos capitalized on a deflection. Bay forward Racheal Kundananji scored the equalizer for Bay FC in the opening minutes of second-half stoppage time.
Houston’s first opportunity of the game came after Sanchez found Amanda West unmarked in the opening minutes of the match. The rookie beat a defender to create space for a shot, but her effort was saved by Bay FC’s Lysianne Proulx.
Midfielder Elin Rubensson had a shot in the closing moments of the first half that narrowly missed the mark. The Swedish international, who made her first start for Houston today, capitalized on a loose ball to take a shot from the edge of the box that just missed the goal.
Houston nearly equalized in the 61st minute after forward Michelle Alozie crossed the ball into the box toward the back post. Proulx came out to punch the ball away from the box, but her clearance landed at the feet of Sánchez. The Dash playmaker took a shot from distance and narrowly missed. Sánchez led the team with five chances created tonight against Bay FC.
Goalkeeper Jane Campbell, who was recently called up by the United States Women’s National Team for the upcoming SheBelieves Cup, made a key save in the 64th minute of the match. The Dash shot stopper denied Scarlett Camberos and that save proved to be crucial in ensuring the Dash take home three points.
The Dash returns to Shell Energy Stadium on April 12 to host Washington Spirit and to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the inaugural Dash match.
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