Dash defeat Flash 2-0, move into third place

Goals from Kealia Ohai and Jessica McDonald propelled the Dash to a 2-0 victory over the Western New York Flash Saturday at BBVA Compass Stadium.

Jessica McDonald opened the scoring in the 39th minute for the Dash. McDonald got on the end of Ellie Brush's booming cross into the box and capitalized on the play with a looping header over Flash keeper Chantel Jones.The goal marked McDonald's team leading fifth of the season and also Brush's first career NWSL assist.

McDonald made up for a previous attempt in the match, where she booted a feed from Melissa Henderson off the fingertips of Jones.

Despite the final scoreline, the persistent play of Jasmyne Spencer nearly altered the outcome of the match. In the 58th minute Spencer's attempt at a volley inside the box travelled high over the bar. A minute later the forward followed up with a shot from outside the box but found herself denied by Henninger.

Kealia Ohai put the game out of reach for the Flash in the 63rd minute. Ohai was played through into the box by a Henderson pass, took a turn around a defender and curled in a picturesque strike over the outstretched hands off Jones for a two-goal advantage. Ohai nearly netted a brace twenty minutes later, as her raw speed saw the 23-year-old break free inside the Flash half for a 1v1 opportunity at goal. Her strike was denied by Jones and a follow-up attempt by Allie Bailey was also stopped.

Next up, the Dash go on the road to take on the Washington Spirit next Saturday. While Western New York will look to regroup with a visit to the Boston Breakers next Sunday.

Houston Dash (3-2-4; 13 points) vs Western New York Flash (3-4-1; 10 points)

NWSL Regular Season

June 20, 2015 — BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston, TX

Goals by Half 1 2 F

Houston Dash 1 1 2

Western New York Flash 0 0 0

Scoring Summary:

HOU: Jessica McDonald (Ellie Brush) 39'

HOU: Kealia Ohai (Melissa Henderson) 63'

Lineups:

Houston: Bianca Henninger, Ella Masar, Ellie Brush, Toni Pressley, Camilla, Brittany Bock (Rachel Axon, 72'), Nikki Cross, Tiffany McCarty (Jordan Jackson, 82'), Melissa Henderson (Allie Bailey, 76'), Jessica McDonald, Kealia Ohai

Western New York Flash: Chantel Jones, Kristen Edmonds (Chelsea Stewart, 76'), Brittany Taylor, Abby Dahlkemper, Jaelene Hinkle, Ashley Nick (Elizabeth Eddy, 59'), Becky Edwards, Samantha Mewis, Jamia Fields, Lynn Williams (Kristen Hamilton, 59'), Jasmyne Spencer