Houston attack dominates Boston

Boston was saved again when Houston put the ball in the back of the net directly off a long-distance free kick, and it was called off for a foul committed against Murphy. The goalkeeper had come out to make the claim and missed it entirely. Once the ball passed her, she was run into by a Houston player, and it seemed like the goal should’ve counted, but it didn’t.

Usually, missing two golden opportunities such as those could frustrate a team, but Houston went on to score three more that would count, and one more that wouldn’t.

The Dash found their breakthrough just before halftime, in the 43rd minute, through Kiki van Zanten. With beautiful, quick combination play through central spaces, van Zanten got a great look and took it quickly with power.

Houston then scored two more times in the second half. In the 59th minute, van Zanten bagged herself a brace as Murphy passed the ball away under pressure, and the player who made the pick off, rookie Kat Rader, sent it quickly into the box, where it was deflected in at the near post.

In the 65th minute, Rader would get her own goal, her first professional score, as Houston’s pressure led to another breakdown at the back for Boston. The Dash forced the turnover just outside the box, and Linda Ullmark showed off some great footwork to penetrate the box. Ullmark was tackled off the ball, and the ref played advantage, but Rader picked up the loose ball and sent it top bins.

Houston could’ve, and maybe should’ve, had a fourth goal that would’ve given van Zanten a hat trick, but it was called offside. Due to the dramatic shade over that portion of the pitch, it was hard to tell on replay if it was the correct call, but it was close.

Despite trading away two of their biggest additions from the previous offseason earlier in the week, Yazmeen Ryan and Delanie Sheehan, Houston, led by young talent, look the best they ever have to start a season.