Houston Dash, Seattle Reign battle to 1-1 draw to kickoff 2019 NWSL season

Photo by
Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (April 14, 2019) In a match that saw Nichelle Prince (shown right) get the first goal of the 2019 season, the Houston Dash battled to a one-all draw against Seattle Reign FC at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston. The fleet-footed forward pounced on a loose ball in the 10th minute of the game; tucking it to the far post for the score. The Canadian as already matched her goal total for 2018, where she played in 19 games while starting in 11.

The match was a back-and-forth affair, with the Dash holding the lead until the 58th minute, when Darian Jenkins shot from the top of the box. The ball was deflected and wrong-footed past Dash goalkeeper Jane Campbell for the goal; her first in a Reign uniform.

In the 20th minute, Reign forward Jasmyne Spencer stretchered off the field with an injury. The injury, along with Prince's goal, slowed Seattle's control of the game. Houston played aggressively, with Rachel Daly and Kalia Ohai taking shots on goal that were either wide or blocked by Seattle.

You can view the photo slideshow from the game, by 

Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loco Photography by clicking here.

With added time running out in the second half, Campbell saved the draw for Houston, when Reign FC forward was warded a penalty kick. Campbell blocked the shot to end the game. It block was Campbell’s fourth penalty kick save in the league, the second most in NWSL history.

Photo by
Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

The draw earned one point for the Dash, in head coach James Clarkson's debut. In addition, the match was defender Amber Brooks' (shown left) 100th regular season appearance in the NWSL. She wa shonored prior to the game for the achievement.

For their second game of the season, the Dash will travel to Piscataway, New Jersey to take on Sky Blue FC on Saturday, April 20, with a 5 p.m. CST at Yurcak Field. In their first match of 2019, Sky Blue fell 2-0 to the Washington Spirit.