Seattle Reign FC improved their pre-season record to 2–0–0 on Wednesday with a 2–0 win over the Houston Dash at Providence Park in Portland. Goals from forwards Beverly Yanez and Kiersten Dallstream solidified the win for Reign FC. The win was the second victory for Reign FC this week, after they defeated Portland Thorns FC on Sunday.
Haley Kopmeyer minded the net for Seattle, recording three saves and preserving a clean sheet.
The match had Reign FC playing a strong possession game, keeping the ball away from Dash’s offense. Although Dash made several strong pushes into Reign FC territory, the Reign FC defense held a tight line.
Reign FC answered Dash’s offensive attack by delivering one of their own in the 9th minute. Forward Manon Melis sent a shot from the left side that Williams caught straight to her chest. In the 10th minute, forward Merritt Mathias directed a shot from the top of the box that was again scooped up by Williams.
Melis had a strong offensive game, leading the team with five shots and two shots on goal, both of them near misses. Yanez also registered three shots, while Dallstream tallied two, and midfielder Keelin Winters, Mathias, and midfielder Kim Little each made one shot.
Yanez put Reign FC on the board in the 38th minute with a beautiful unassisted shot from the right side of the box that found its mark in the lower right corner of the net.
“I was trying to get a lot of shots on goal and get a lot of momentum going forward, said Yanez. “I had taken about two or three shots before that actual goal. The team put me in great positions to get shots on goal — I’m just lucky enough that it went in. The team played great today and we have a lot to work on. It was a great start for us.”
Forward Kiersten Dallstream doubled Reign FC’s lead by scoring in 81st minute, her first goal with the club. Defender Michelle Cruz dribbled into the box from the right side and fed the ball to Dallstream who buried it into the goal with her left foot.
“I hit it from my left. I didn’t think I put a lot on it,” said Dallstream. “It’s a step forward, definitely. It built up my confidence.”
“I’m really happy that we kept a clean sheet,” said Head Coach Laura Harvey. “There is still loads to work on, but I am pleased with the result.”
Seattle takes to the Providence Park pitch again on Saturday April 2, when they take on Oregon State University at 2:30 p.m. PT. The team then returns to Memorial Stadium for their final pre-season appearance in 2016 as they take on the University of Washington Huskies on Saturday, April 9 at 7:00pm. PT.
Reign FC 2016 home-opener against Sky Blue FC is on Sunday, April 17 at 4 p.m. PT at Memorial Stadium. Tickets are on sale right now at Reignfc.com/tickets. Seats start at just $18.
Match Report
Match: Seattle Reign FC v. Houston Dash
Date: March 30, 2016
Venue: Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)
Kickoff: 5 p.m. PT
Attendance: N/A
Goals by Half 1 2 Total
SEA 1 1 2
HOU 0 0 0
Scoring Summary
SEA — 36’ Yanez
SEA — 81’ Dallstream
Misconduct Summary
SEA — Caution — Rachel Corsie
HOU — Caution — Amber Brooks
SEA — Caution — Dani Foxhoven
Lineups & Stats
SEA: GK Haley Kopmeyer, D Carson Pickett, D Kendall Fletcher (73’ Michelle Cruz), D Lauren Barnes (45’ Rachel Corsie), D Elli Reed (70’ Michelle Cruz), M Havana Solaun (45’ Keelin Winters), M Jessica Fishlock, M Kim Little, F Beverly Yanez (65’ Lindsay Elston), F Manon Melis, and F Merritt Mathias (53’ Kiersten Dallstream)
Substitutes Not Used: Nielsen, Bennett, Tostanoski
HOU: GK Lydia Williams, D Poliana, D Ellie Brush, D Allysha Chapman, D Cami Privett, M Kealila Ohai (c), M Amber Brooks, M Andressa, F Rachel Daly, F Janine Beckie and F Caity Heap
Substitutes: Bianca Henninger, Jen LaPonte, and Caroline Van Slambrouck
