Sky Blue Grabs an Away Win at Houston

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Houston DashNWSLSky Blue FC
··2 min read
Sky Blue FC celebration aftert scoring. (Sky Blue FC)

Sky Blue FC defeated the Houston Dash, 3-1, off of goals from Sarah Killion, Leah Galton, and Sam Kerr to improve to 2-2-1 at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas. Houston’s Poliana got a goal back in the 76th minute for the home team during week five of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).

For Sky Blue, Christie Pearce returned to the lineup after sitting out the past two games while following concussion protocol. Pearce slotted into her center back position next to rookie Mandy Freeman. Also back into the lineup was Raquel Rodriguez, who missed the last match to attend her graduation from Penn State.

Midfielder Morgan Brian returned to action in a starting role for the Dash after playing 18 minutes in her season debut for the Dash in their loss against the Red Stars last week.

Sarah Killion put Sky Blue up in the 33rd minute after converting a penalty kick awarded after Kerr was fouled in the box.

Kerr assisted on the second goal for Sky Blue with a sublime no-look through ball to Galton, who converted a left-footed shot after taking a touch to round goalkeeper Lydia Williams.

The Dash cut the deficit to one in the 76th minute after Kealia Ohai found defender Poliana with a cross in from the right. Poliana slotted home a right-footed shot past Kailen Sheridan.

It was Kerr, however, who put any hopes of a Dash tie or win to rest after scoring in the 87th minute with a right-footed shot driven low to the far post that Williams had no chance on.

The two teams face each other again on Saturday, May 20, in the Lifetime Game of the Week. Heading into week six, Sky Blue sits in sixth place in the table while Houston is in seventh.

Notes

Sky Blue’s Kelley O’Hara was unavailable due to an excused absence.

Attendance: 5,369

Lineups

Houston Dash
18-Lydia Williams; 22-Camille Levin; 55-Janine van Wyk (9-Sarah Hagen, 9′); 4-Bruna Benites; 5-Cari Roccaro; 6-Morgan Brian (2-Poliana, 61′); 12-Amber Brooks; 16-Janine Beckie; 7-Kealia Ohai; 3-Rachel Daly; 14-Nichelle Prince (17-Andressa, 46′)

Sky Blue FC
1-Kailen Sheridan; 33-Erin Simon (15-Kayla Mills, 78′); 22-Mandy Freeman; 3-Christie Pearce; 8-Erica Skroski; 7-Nikki Stanton; 16-Sarah Killion; 6-Taylor Lytle (73-Madison Tiernan, 74′); 11-Raquel Rodriguez; 21-Leah Galton (2-McKenzie Meehan, 62′); 20-Samantha Kerr

Discipline

Houston Dash

Yellow Cards
Amber Brooks, 87′

Sky Blue FC

Yellow Cards
Samantha Kerr, 17′
Raquel Rodriguez, 65′