Williams’ stoppage time goal lifts Western NY to 3-3 draw
By Louis Roesch
The Houston Dash (3-7-3) let a 3-1 lead slip away late against the National Women’s Soccer League’s highest scoring team earning a disappointing 3-3 draw at BBVA Compass Stadium. The Western New York Flash (8-5-2) scored their 27, 28 and 29th goals of the season.
Lynn Williams league leading eighth goal of the season in the second minute of second half stoppage time spoiled the two goal performance of Houston Dash team captain Kealia Ohai as the Western New York Flash rallied from a 3-1 deficit.
Currently in second place in the standings a point back of the Washington Spirit and the Portland Thorns FC, Flash forward Lianne Sanderson gave the upper New York side the lead early. Western New York’s 27th NWSL league leading goal in the second minute came off poor clearance following a corner kick. The ball eventually came to the newly acquired forward at the spot and her shot deflected off the hands of Dash keeper Bianca Henninger into the net. It was Sanderson’s fourth overall goal of the season and second since being traded from the Orlando Pride on June 21st.
“Down a goal, I like the fight back in this team,” said Houston Dash head coach Randy Waldrum at halftime. “We created a lot of good chances and obviously a great strike by Daly to get us back in it.”
The rookie forward’s team leading fourth goal of the season came in the 31st minute as she picked up a ball just inside the center circle on the Dash side of midfield before making a run that left defenders turning inside out as she unleashed a right footed blast rippling the nets from 30 yards out. It was Daly’s third consecutive match with a goal a goal reminiscent of USWNT and Dash midfielder Carli Lloyd’s strike against Kansas City last season. . Coincidentally, Lloyd is the only other Dash player with goals in three cosecutive games having turned the trick last season following the Women’s World Cup.
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In the 47th minute, Kealia Ohai gave Houston the lead right out of the halftime locker room. Just outside the 18 yard box in the Houston defensive third of the field, Ohai collected a clearance pass and outran the Flash defense before notching her second goal of the season giving Houston a 2-1 lead. The scoring was indicative of the explosiveness Houston expects but has had trouble finishing this season.
In the 63rd minute, the Dash captain was at it again. The forward on the receiving end of a cross from midfielder Stephanie Ochs created just enough space between her and the Flash defender inside the 18 yard box before letting loose with her second goal of the night and a 3-1 lead.
Western New York pulled one back in the 70th minute as former Dash forward Jessica McDonald scored her seventh goal of the season on a counter setting the stage for William’s equalizer twenty minutes later. McDonald headed a ball down in the box and Williams ran onto it to put away the equalizer. The scoring duo for Western New York are 1-2 in the NWSL scoring race and McDonald leads the league with six assists.
“We’re happy to be scoring goals but to end the game like that is just not good enough,” said Ohai following the match. “We just got to keep going to the end of the game.”
The draw extended Houston’s unbeaten streak to three games.