Houston Dash vs Sky Blue FC Final Score: McDonald second half goal leads to 1-1 draw against Sky Blue FC

McDonald deflected home Morgan Brian's cross to help the Dash earn their first point on the road against Sky Blue FC.

Katy Freels opened the scoring in the 14th minute after Sky Blue dominated from kick off. Freels blasted a Kelley O'Hara cross off Erin McLeod and in for an early lead. Sky Blue FC's offense fell off a proverbial cliff in second half, after Nadia Nadim was subbed off at halftime due to an apparent injury.

In the 52nd minute Jessica McDonald drew the Dash level with Sky Blue. Morgan Brian was able to get down the right side of the field and send a cross into McDonald who finished the ball perfectly.

The Dash pressed late in the second half looking for a winning goal. In the 88th minute, Morgan Brian had a look for goal off a short corner but Brittany Cameron denied her with a terrific diving save. Two minutes earlier McDonald nearly netted her second goal but her diving header off a Meghan Klingenberg cross was denied by Cameron.

The match marked the return of Houston's Canadian players, including Lauren Sesselmann and Allysha Chapman NWSL debut. Sesselmann officially made her return to soccer against France last week in a start for the CanWNT. Erin McLeod made her debut this season between the sticks after Bianca Henninger picked up a victory in the season opener.

The Dash next play on the road against the Boston Breakers on Sunday April 26, 5:00pm.

Houston Dash (1-0-1; 4 points) vs. Sky Blue FC (1-0-1; 4 points)
NWSL Regular Season
Sky Blue FC vs. Houston DashApril 18, 2015 - Yurcak Field (Piscataway, NJ)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
Houston Dash 0 1 1
Sky Blue FC 1 0 1

Scoring Summary:
SBFC: Katy Freels (1) ( Kelley O'Hara) 14'
HOU: Jessica McDonald (1) (Morgan Brian) 52'
Misconduct Summary:
SBFC: Katy Freels (yellow card) 90+

Houston: Erin McLeod; Megan Klingenberg, Niki Cross, Lauren Sesselmann (Stephanie Ochs, 45'), Allysha Chapman (Tiffany McCarty, 80'); Carli Lloyd, Ashley Nick, Morgan Brian; Melissa Henderson (Ella Masar, 56'), Jessica McDonald, Kealia Ohai
Sky Blue FC: Brittany Cameron, Christie Rampone (Lo'eau LaBonta, 68'), Kristin Grubka, Lindsi Cutshall, Camille Levin, Kelley O'Hara, Katy Freels, Sarah Killion, Shawna Gordon (Kim DeCeasre, 79), Maya Hayes, Nadia Nadim (Meg Morris, 45')

Referee: Elvis Mahmutovic
Assistant Referees: Maggie Short; Stephen Danisi Fourth Official: Neil Barbulescu
Attendance: 1742