Rader’s Penalty Earns Dash a Point Against Current
(image via Aldo Canale)
The Houston Dash finished their three-match homestand on Saturday night, taking on the Kansas City Current. Houston was tasked with another difficult match after losing to Gotham last week, but points are of the necessity as the team fights to try and make it into the NWSL playoffs.
Avery Patterson got an early look for the Dash in the 15th minute as the fullback made her way to the top of the box. Her shot, however, flew over the bar. KC thought they had a goal in the 20th minute but the referee had stopped play. Right after that stoppage, Houston was forced into a change after just 24 minutes. Rookie Linda Ullmark looked to take a knock to her face and was unable to continue. She was replaced by Kiki Van Zanten.
Kansas City got the game’s goal in the 44th minute. Off a Dash corner kick, the Current countered. Croix Bethune slipped the ball into the path of Debinha with the Brazilian bearing down on goal. Paige Nielsen came across to try and block the shot but Debinha got just enough on it, with a deflection, to find the back of thet and put KC in front 1-0 just before halftime.
The Dash made two changes to begin the second half with Clarissa Larisey and Sophie Schmidt entering the match for Kate Faasse and Khyah Harper. Schmidt made an impact, as she usually does, as Houston looked more on the front foot. The veteran slipped Maggie Graham a pass in the 59th minute but Graham’s effort came out off the post. Current goalkeeper Marisa Jordan looked to get just enough on the shot to direct it off the woodwork.
Houston was given a chance to equalize in the 78th minute. Allysha Chapman drove into the box and was clattered into by KC defender Elizabeth Ball. Referee Marie Durr pointed to the spot, awarding the Dash a penalty kick. Rookie Kat Rader stepped up and sent Jordan the wrong way to equalize at 1-1 in the 81st minute.
Rookie Natalie Hammond came on for her professional debut in the 89th minute, becoming the sixth first-year player to play for the Dash this season. Just moments later, Rader fired a free kick over from outside the box.
Neither team was able to find a winner in stoppage time and the match ended 1-1, with Houston and Kansas City sharing the points at Shell Energy Stadium.*
Next week, the Dash hit the road as they’ll travel east for a meeting with the North Carolina Courage. That match is set for Sunday with kickoff at 6 PM.
