Pride’s Regular-Season Sweep Dashed by Houston

The Orlando Pride could not complete the regular-season sweep of the Houston Dash and are also eliminated from the National Women’s Soccer League playoffs. On Saturday night, the Dash (5-8-4, 19 points) defeated the Pride (6-11-0,18 points) 4-2 at BBVA Compass Stadium.

Kealia Ohai scored two goals to lead the Dash to victory.

“I’m really confident,” Ohai said after the game. “I’m really excited. Obviously, this is the most I’ve ever scored and the longest streak I’ve ever had, but I’m mostly excited that we’re winning games. That’s the main focus here, and if I can be a part of that by producing goals, that’s what I want to do.”

Houston created plenty of opportunities in the first minutes of the game. In the 23rd minute, that work paid off when the Dash’s Janine Beckie scored. Carli Lloyd received the ball from Ohai and passed the ball to Beckie who kicked it past Pride goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris for the 1-0 lead.

The first half ended with Houston leading over Orlando for the first time this season.

On the Dash’s first corner kick of the second half, the Dash notched their second goal of the night. Poliana Barbosa Medeiros collected a rebound off Harris and scored past the Orlando goalkeeper for a 2-0 lead.

Ohai scored in the 62nd minute with a 28-yard shot in the upper 90 of Harris’ net.

In the 80th minute, Pride midfielder Kristen Edmonds delivered a quick free kick to forward Alex Morgan, who scored her third goal of the season to cut the lead to 3-1. Edmonds followed up with a goal of her own in the 87th minute, but that would be the end of the Pride’s scoring.

The Pride’s last-ditch efforts to equalize allowed Beckie and Ohai to execute a counterattack in extra time that gave the Dash their fourth and final goal of the match.

Woman of the Match: Kealia Ohai

Ohai had an impact on the game from the start, assisting in the build-up for the first goal and scoring two goals total. Houston’s captain has scored nine goals in the last seven games, breaking a club record for most goals in a season. Ohai is now the leading the Golden Boot race in the NWSL with nine goals.

What’s next?

Orlando Pride will visit Sky Blue FC on Wednesday, Sept. 7.

Scoring

Statistics and Starting Lineups

Orland Pride starting XI (4-4-2): Ashlyn Harris; Toni Pressley, Monica Hickmann Alves, Kaylyn Kyle, Camille Levin; Jasmyne Spencer, Kristen Edmonds, Dani Weatherholt, Josée Bélanger; Alex Morgan (C), Sarah Hagen

Houston Dash starting XI (4-4-2): Lydia Williams; Becca Moros, Cari Roccaro, Ellie Brush, Poliana Barbosa Medeiros; Carli Lloyd, Denise O’Sullivan, Andressa Cavalari Machry, Morgan Brian; Kealia Ohai (C), Janine Beckie

(Featured photo by Victor Tan / New Day Review)