HOUSTON – A late goal lifted Bay FC to a 1-0 victory over the Houston Dash at PayPal Park this afternoon. Houston closed a three-match week with a 2-1-0 (WLD) record after earning consecutive victories over North Carolina and Chicago earlier in the week.
Houston applied heavy pressure throughout the match and forced 10 saves from Bay goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz. Forward Kat Rader led the team with four chances created today followed by forward Miljana Ivanović, who entered the match in the second half and created three chances for the team.
Recommended Videos
Bay FC broke through in the 89th minute after Jane Campbell denied Keira Barry, but the rebound fell back into play off the crossbar. Cristina Girelli collected the loose ball and found the far corner for her first goal of the season.
Houston created its first opportunity of the match in the ninth minute after forward Kate Faasse played the ball to midfielder Danny Colaprico atop the box. Colaprico fired a left-footed effort from the center of the box, but her shot was off target.
Campbell was called into action in the 12th minute of the match, diving to her right to deny Karlie Lema. The Dash caption ended the afternoon with six saves.
Houston created back-to-back chances moments later after midfielder Linda Ullmark fired a shot toward the far post that forced a save from Silkowitz. Midfielder Kiki Van Zanten got behind the rebound for her first shot of the match, but her effort was forced out of play for a corner kick.
Van Zanten had another opportunity in the 37th minute after heading an effort toward the bottom-left corner from inside the box, but Silkowitz denied the attempt. Two minutes later, Faasse fired a right-footed effort toward the bottom-center of the goal, but Bay forced the save.
Houston’s final opportunity of the first half came off Faasse’s right foot, she forced a save despite heavy pressure from the Bay FC backline. The Dash forced six saves from Silkowitz in the first half.
The Dash nearly opened the scoring in the 51st minute when Colaprico fired a left-footed effort from inside the box, but Bay’s defense blocked the attempt. Houston threatened again moments later following a corner kick when defender Leah Klenke headed the ball toward goal, but the Bay goalkeeper tipped the effort over the crossbar and out of play.
Houston nearly broke the deadlock in the 76th minute when forward Clarissa Larisey fired a right-footed effort from inside the box through traffic, but Silkowitz dove to keep the match level.