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No Carli Lloyd, no problem.
Houston’s Brazilian internationals Poliana and Andressa both found the back of the net, as the Houston Dash defeated the Washington Spirit 2-1 at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston.
Despite Lloyd being unable to play to due to a suspension, the Dash earned an important victory, as the team came together for arguably their best performance of the season. Houston’s first goal came in the 25th minute as the perfect execution of a short corner kick. Janine Beckie placed a cross towards the box and Poliana flicked her header towards the back post and past Stephanie Labbé for a 1-0 advantage.
25' - Off the short cornerkick by @janinebeckie4, @HoustonDash's Poliana uses her head and a deft flick to take a 1-0 lead. #HOUvWAS pic.twitter.com/IUVtyUufyS
— NWSL (@NWSL) July 16, 2017
Jane Campbell proved to be the story of the match, as she made three crucial diving stops to lead Houston to victory. Campbell preserved Houston’s one-goal advantage with a diving stop on Shelina Zadorsky. Zadorsky launched a strike towards the top left corner but Campbell dove to her right and made a ‘Save of the Week’ worthy stop.
29' - @WashSpirit's @Shelina6 fires a shot from 25-yards out but @HoustonDash's @jane_campbell1 makes a leaping save. #HOUvWAS pic.twitter.com/7RMX1pwOVW
— NWSL (@NWSL) July 16, 2017
Campbell closed out the first half with another key save. The 22-year-old dove to her left to deny Spirit forward Estefanía Banini at point-blank range.
42' - Another big-time save by @HoustonDash's @jane_campbell1 but this time denying @WashSpirit's @estefibanini_10. #HOUvWAS pic.twitter.com/Zjzrcg85gy
— NWSL (@NWSL) July 16, 2017
Andressa put the Dash ahead 2-0 with a 54th-minute goal. The Brazilian international received a ball from Rachel Daly and floated her strike from well outside the 18-yard box past Labbé.
54' - Andressinha gives the @HoustonDash a 2-0 lead w/ a floating shot from outside 18-yard box that finds the back of the net. #HOUvWAS pic.twitter.com/RPKRt9eyXN
— NWSL (@NWSL) July 16, 2017
Washington placed a tremendous amount of pressure on Houston’s backline throughout the match. The Spirit finally broke through with a goal from Estelle Johnson in the 75th minute. Johnson tucked a low strike between Campbell and the near post into the back of the net to end the rookie’s hopes of a clean sheet.
75' - #WAS Goal - @EstelleJohnson pulls back a goal for the @WashSpirit firing a low shot just inside the near post. #HOUvWAS
— NWSL (@NWSL) July 16, 2017
2 - 1 pic.twitter.com/Y5Y1lYUpQ8
In the 83rd minute, Kristie Mewis almost provided the Spirit with a late equalizer to stun Houston for the second match in a row. Mewis turned on her defender and fired a left-footed strike on frame, but Campbell tipped the strike over the bar.
83' - Another acrobatic save from @HoustonDash's @jane_campbell1 to keep their advantage. #HOUvWAS pic.twitter.com/c7bqGET4zc
— NWSL (@NWSL) July 16, 2017
With the victory, the Dash sit in seventh place in the league table with a 5-7-2 record. Houston returns to action next Saturday against the Boston Breakers at BBVA Compass Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 CT.
FT: Dash 2-1 Spirit
— Houston Dash (@HoustonDash) July 16, 2017
Still kickin'. Houston earns its first series victory against the Spirit.#HOUvWAS pic.twitter.com/5LFHa1A98w
Lineups
Dash Starting XI: Campbell; Poliana, Brooks (c), Van Wyk, Levin; Privett; Brian, Beckie; Andressinha; Daly, Prince #HOUvWAS pic.twitter.com/a43jgZ7b23
— Houston Dash (@HoustonDash) July 15, 2017
Check out our Starting XI for tonight's game! Kickoff coming up in 30. https://t.co/miMlGveVOP #HOUvWAS #WeWill pic.twitter.com/PPc78w2nYu
— Washington Spirit (@WashSpirit) July 16, 2017