Houston Dash made an early breakthrough count, beating Chicago Stars FC 3–1 in Friday’s National Women’s Soccer League fixture at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium in Evanston.

Leah Klenke opened the scoring in the fourth minute, with Maggie Graham adding Houston’s second in the 54th and substitute Clarissa Larisey making it three in the 79th. Sam Staab’s header in the third minute of second-half stoppage time gave Chicago a late consolation, but the visitors had already done enough to secure all three points.

Klenke gives Houston the early edge

Chicago were chasing the match almost from the outset after Klenke put the Dash ahead in the fourth minute. That early goal established an advantage Houston carried into halftime, leaving the Stars with work to do after the interval.

The visitors’ control was reflected in the overall possession figures: Houston finished with 65.1 percent of the ball to Chicago’s 34.9 percent. The Dash also produced more attempts, outshooting the hosts 12–8 across the match.

Graham and Larisey extend the lead

Klenke received a yellow card in the 51st minute, but Houston soon had another reason to celebrate. Graham struck in the 54th minute to double the lead, making Chicago’s route back into the contest considerably steeper.

Larisey then added Houston’s third in the 79th minute, two minutes after fellow substitute Sarah Puntigam had been booked. At 3–0, the Dash had built a commanding cushion heading into the closing stages.

Houston finished with five shots on target to Chicago’s three. The Stars won more corners, five to two, but that advantage did not translate into enough goals to threaten the visitors’ lead.

Staab denies the Dash a clean sheet

After Tessa Dellarose’s 87th-minute booking, Chicago finally found a breakthrough when Staab headed home in the 93rd minute. It denied Houston a clean sheet and gave the home supporters a late goal to cheer, without changing the outcome.

For the Dash, the decisive moments were spread neatly across the evening: Klenke’s early opener, Graham’s second-half strike and Larisey’s late addition. Chicago’s response arrived too late to turn those moments into anything less than an away victory.

Next fixtures

Both clubs return to action on Sunday, November 1. Chicago Stars FC face Washington Spirit, while Houston Dash take on Portland Thorns FC, with both fixtures scheduled for 2:00 p.m. PST.