Flash winless in four straight with home loss to Dash; Wambach injured early

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — It was the first-ever match up for the Houston Dash and Western New York Flash on Saturday night at Sahlen’s Stadium and the Dash reigned supreme, defeating the Flash 2-1. Western New York is now winless in four straight games, losing three of them.

Abby Wambach exited the game in the 25^th minute after a collision earlier in the 17^th minute. Flash staff reported that she has a knee injury, but it doesn’t appear to be anything serious.

“I think probably most importantly, we’ve been playing well and I think our record just hasn’t shown how competitive we’ve been in every game, so it’s really nice to come on the road – against a very good team, by the way – and get the result tonight,” Houston coach Randy Waldrum said.

It was a slow start for each team as both struggled to gain momentum offensively. Before Wambach’s exit and a shift in the front line, Sam Kerr had some good runs along the left flank, but Dash defender Osinachi Ohale was never far behind and was consistently there to break down play.

There was a close call in the 4^th minute when Adriana took a free kick for the Flash from 25 yards out. Her shot sailed in toward the lower right post, but Houston goalkeeper Bianca Henninger — starting for an injured Erin McLeod — was there to make the diving save. Nina Burger retaliated a minute when she took advantage of a giveaway by Flash defender Kristen Edmonds and drilled a shot that sailed just wide of the left post.

In the 44^th minute Adriana crossed in a beautiful ball into the middle of the box, where McCall Zerboni was waiting and drilled a shot into the back of the net on the volley.

Ohai found the equalizer in the 51^st minute when Lydia Williams misread her shot and the ball sailed right passed her at the far post.

And it was Burger who ultimately had the last laugh. In the 73^rd minute Ochs took a corner kick and Burger was there to head in the goal, putting the Dash on top. The goal was the Austrian forward’s second of the season.

“I think towards the second half we got a little bit complacent and hats off to them, they capitalized off of a set piece to be able to go up,” said Flash defender Brittany Taylor. “I think all of us need to dig a little bit deep and everybody, including myself, can put in a little bit more fight and mentality.”

Zerboni also added, “We have the character here. We have the will. We’re going to have to find a way to get better performances on the field.”

With the win, Houston (2-7-1, 7 pts.) climbs back out of last place, which they had dropped to after Boston’s big win over Portland in mid-week.

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Houston Dash (2-7-1) at Western New York Flash (3-4-2)

May 31, 2014 — Sahrlen’s Stadium, Rochester, NY

NWSL Regular Season

Attendence — 3,555

Scoring by period

1 2

Final

Houston Dash 0 2 2

Western New York Flash 1 0 1

Scoring Summary:

Western New York: McCall Zerboni (Adriana Martin) 44

Houston: Tiffany McCarty 2 (Kealia Ohai 1) 51

Houston: Nina Burger 2 (Stephanie Ochs 2) 73

Houston Dash: Bianca Henninger; Arianna Romero, Osinachi Ohale, Marissa Diggs, Stephanie Ochs; Kaylyn Kyle, Ella Masar, Becky Edwards; Tiffany McCarty (Kelly McFarlane 90+4), Nina Burger (Rafaelle Souza 79), Kealia Ohai

Unused substitutes: Erin McLeod, Holly Hein, Teresa Noyola, Kika Toulouse

Western New York Flash: Lydia Williams; Katherine Reynolds, Brittany Taylor, Amy Barczuk (Jasmyne Spencer 77), Kritsten Edmonds; McCall Zerboni (Sonia Bermudez 66), Carli Lloyd, Angela Salem; Samantha Kerr, Abby Wambach (Vicky Losada 25), Adriana Martin

Unused substitutes: Kelsey Wys, Haley Palerm, Courtney Wetzel, Kathryn Williamson

Disciplinary Summary:

HOU: Osinachi Ohale (caution) 9

Referee: Kristen Salazar

Assistant Referees: Amanda Ross, Michael Piercey

Fourth Official: Chris Trottier