Piscataway, N.J- Sky Blue kicked off their home opener for the 2019 NWSL season with an unexpected loss. Sky Blue midfielder Carli Lloyd missed the penalty kick in the first half, while Dash midfielder Sofia Huerta capitalized on a deflected ball during the 83’ minute to bring home the 1-0 win for Houston.
The home team had a strong start, keeping the pressure high, but also saw some early shots on goal from the Dash. Midfielder Veronica Latsko created a clean shot to Nichelle Prince and after sweeping past Sky Blue’s defense, Prince faced goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan one on one. Luckily Sheridan interfered with Prince’s shot in the 16’ minute to keep the score 0-0.
Minutes later, Sky Blue’s offense had worked the passing down to the Dash goal. After Carli Lloyd received a pass in the box, she was given a penalty kick as the Dash offense had knocked her over. Lloyd’s right-footed shot was slightly wide and left of the net and to her visible disappointment, the match still remained scoreless.
Midfielder Nahomi Kawasumi also made an attempt on goal in the first half, but was again cleared out. At the half, the match was still scoreless.
In the 56’ minute, the Dash took a corner kick and midfielder Christine Nairn headed the ball to Rachel Daly, who made an attempt on goal, but Sheridan made another save of the night for Sky Blue. Sky Blue made substitutions in the 64’ minute and Paige Monaghan came on the pitch and immediately made a difference, but the home side weren’t able to create a goal.
The Dash had a breakthrough in the 82’ minute as Nairn crossed the ball to Daly down the line. In an attempt to cut the ball past Sheridan, the ball got lost among the players, but midfielder Sofia Huerta took advantage of Sheridan being out of the box and scored to give the Dash a 1-0 lead.
With three minutes of stoppage time on the clock, the Dash continued to attack, but weren’t able to extend their lead. In total, Sky Blue’s goalkeeper made 10 saves for the night.
“It was a good step forward for the team technically and mentally,” Sheridan said. “Tactically, I think the biggest thing for us is not taking a step back, making sure we push every week to go forward.”
Sky Blue will host the Portland Thorns next Saturday, April 28 for Week 3 of the NWSL.
SCORING SUMMARY:
HOU-Sofia Huerta, 83’
BOOKING SUMMARY:
HOU-Lindsay Agnew, yellow card
NJ-Carli Lloyd, yellow card
SKY BLUE FC: #1-Kailen Sheridan, #8-Erica Skroski, #24-Estelle Johnson, #17-Dominique Richardson, #3-Caprice Dydasco, #28-Imani Dorsey, #16-Sarah Killion, #11-Raquel Rodriguez, #9-Nahomi Kawasumi (#2-Mckenzie Meehan, 85’), #10-Carli Lloyd, #7-Jennifer Hoy (#4-Paige Monaghan, 64’)
Subs not used: #13-Didi Haracic, #5-Julie James, #29-Amandine Pierre-Louis, #14-Kenie Wright
HOUSTON DASH: #1-Jane Campbell, #4-Allysha Chapman, #22-Amber Brooks, #5-Clare Polkinghorne, #20-Lindsay Agnew (#19-Kristie Mewis, 62’), #10-Christine Nairn, #13-Sophie Schmidt (#24-Jamia Fields, 63’), #12-Veronica Latsko (#9-Haley Hanson, 75’), #11-Sofia Huerta, #14-Nichelle Prince, #3-Rachel Daly
Subs not used: #21-Taylor Comeau, #30-Bianca Henninger, #2-Arianna Jeanette Romero Tellez, #17-Kyah Simon
TOTAL SHOTS: NJ 8-19 HOU
SHOTS ON GOAL: NJ 1-11 HOU
FOULS: NJ 8-10 HOU
OFFSIDES: NJ 0-5 HOU
Houston Dash
