Houston Dash delivered an emphatic 5-0 National Women’s Soccer League victory over Chicago Stars FC on Wednesday night at Shell Energy Stadium, turning a strong first half into a complete home performance in front of 5,214 supporters.
Kat Rader set the tone almost immediately, opening the scoring in the 5th minute as Houston made their early pressure count. The Dash remained in control through much of the first half, and Rader doubled both her tally and the hosts’ advantage in the 42nd minute.
Chicago had little time to recover before the interval. Linda Ullmark added a third in first-half stoppage time, scoring in the 45’+2′ minute to send Houston into the break with a commanding 3-0 lead.
The Stars did produce 12 attempts and won five corners, but Houston’s defensive work ensured only three of those shots were on target. The Dash were more clinical in the decisive areas, registering seven shots on target from 11 attempts while holding 53 percent possession.
Houston maintained its intensity after the restart and added further gloss to the result late on. Substitute Kate Faasse scored in the 79th minute before Lisa Boattin completed the rout in the 90’+1′ minute.
Rader’s first-half brace was the headline act, while Ullmark, Faasse and Boattin ensured the Dash had five different goal contributions across a dominant evening. The result leaves Houston with a 7-5-8 record, while Chicago’s difficult campaign continues at 4-1-15.
Houston Dash next face Bay FC on Sunday, August 23. Chicago Stars FC return to action the same day against Racing Louisville FC.
Goals
- Houston Dash: Kat Rader, 5′
- Houston Dash: Kat Rader, 42′
- Houston Dash: Linda Ullmark, 45’+2′
- Houston Dash: Kate Faasse, 79′
- Houston Dash: Lisa Boattin, 90’+1′
