North Carolina Courage defeat Houston Dash 5-0

The Houston Dash ended their 2018 season on Saturday night against the North Carolina Courage. The Dash were hoping for a win to give the club their first ever winning record but it wasn’t to be as the Courage rolled over them 5-0.

Things got off to a nervy start for the Dash as Lynn Williams had a shot in front of an open net in the first minute of the game but the ball deflected off Amber Brooks. The ball headed towards Jess McDonald but fortunately for the Dash the ball was out of her reach and it went out for a corner. They were able to clear the ball away on the corner kick.

It didn’t take long for the Courage to get on on a roll and on the score board. In the thirteenth minute, McDonald got around Brooks and put her shot past Jane Campbell for a goal and an early lead for the Courage.

It was Crystal Dunn who scored 13 minutes later. A shot from Lynn Williams went off the post and before Linda Motlhalo could get to it Dunn pounced on it. Her first shot bounced off of the post but she was able to bury it on the rebound. The 26th minute goal from Dunn doubled the Courage lead, 2-0.

McDonald passed the ball forward to Williams in the 44th minute to set up the third goal for the Courage. Williams made Lindsey Agnew miss as she cut back behind her and took a shot at the net. The ball went just to Campbell’s left as it went past her and into the net.

In the second half once again it was McDonald to Williams to set up another goal for the Courage. In the 57th minute McDonald crossed the ball in to Williams who had not problem finishing her shot to bring the Courage’s goal total to four.

Second half sub Kirsten Hamilton fought through a number of Dash players to break free and make a run at goal. Hamilton got her shot off sending in over Campbell who was going down to her knees and into the roof of the net to make it 5-0 in the 70th minute of the game.

The Dash were never able to find their feet in the game with few good chances. Sofia Huerta looked like she had a good chance to get into the box and in front of the net when her run was broken up by a tackle early in the first half. In the second half it looked like the Dash would finally get on the board but Rachel Daly was whistled offside.

Lineups