Houston Dash Extend Unbeaten Streak, Stun San Diego Wave 3-0
(image via Houston Dash)
The Houston Dash extended their unbeaten streak with an impressive 3-0 road win over the San Diego Wave on Sunday night.
Head coach Fabrice Gautrat named an almost unchanged lineup, with Clarissa Larisey making her first start for Houston in place of Messiah Bright.
San Diego came out aggressive, pressing high and forcing Jane Campbell into several key saves in the opening minutes. But the Dash stayed composed and made the breakthrough. After intercepting a pass near the Wave’s box, Kiki Van Zanten sparked a quick sequence that found Larisey. The Canadian forward shook off her defender and buried her first NWSL and Dash goal in the 17th minute to put Houston up 1–0.
The Wave kept applying pressure, but Houston began to grow into the game and dictate the tempo. Just before halftime, Yazmeen Ryan carried the ball through midfield and played a long pass to Larisey, who beat her marker and sent in a cross. The ball deflected back to Ryan, who slotted home in the 45th minute to double the Dash’s advantage.
Early in the second half, Houston was forced into a change as Larisey exited with a knock, replaced by Bright. San Diego pushed numbers forward in response, but the Dash sealed the match with a third goal. Michelle Alozie charged down the left flank, beat her defender, and found Maggie Graham, who whipped a cross into the box. Bright met it with her first touch of the match, finishing calmly to make it 3–0.
Despite facing constant pressure, leaders like Campbell anchored the back line and kept the defense organized. Ryan’s resurgence, along with her growing chemistry with Larisey, also stood out as a potential difference-maker for Houston moving forward.
This statement win serves as a message to the rest of the league: the Dash are no longer just grinding out results—they are ready to compete with anyone.
Houston wraps up their three-game road stretch next weekend against the Utah Royals. Kickoff is set for Sunday, September 14, at 5:00 PM CT, with coverage on NWSL+ and Paramount+.
