HOUSTON, TX—For the third consecutive season, the Chicago Red Stars are a playoff team. The spot was clinched with a 3-2 win in Houston against the Dash.
Jen Hoy put the Red Stars ahead on 12 minutes scoring on her own rebound after Jane Campbell made an initial save off a header. Eight minutes later, Campbell would spill a corner kick by Vanessa DiBernardo and Casey Short scored from an acute angle to double the Red Stars’ lead.
The Dash pulled one back in the 24th minute after Krisite Mewis was taken down by Julie Ertz and Amber Brooks converted the penalty. Just before halftime though, Brooks would be called for a penalty after referee Marco Antonio Vega adjudged her to have handled a ball in the box. Christen Press converted the spot kick to break the single-season scoring record for the Red Stars at 11.
There would be a frantic finish to this match, though. Rachel Daly pulled one back in the 85th minute and Yuki Nagasato would be sent off for a rash challenge on Daly in the 89th. Sarah Hagen nearly equalized for the Dash, but was denied by Alyssa Naeher and the Red Stars held on for the win.
The Red Stars can clinch third place with a draw next Saturday against potential playoff opponent Portland. The match is at 2:30pm on Lifetime.
SCORING SUMMARY:
CHI-Jen Hoy (unassisted) 12
CHI-Casey Short (unassisted) 20
HOU-Amber Brooks (penalty kick) 24
CHI-Christen Press (penalty kick) 45+2
HOU-Rachel Daly (Mewis) 85
BOOKING SUMMARY:
HOU-Andressinha (caution, tactical foul) 75
CHI-Yuki Nagasato (sent off, serious foul play) 89
HOUSTON DASH (4-3-3): #1-Jane Campbell; #8-Claire Falknor, #12-Amber Brooks, #55-Janine Van Wyk, #22-Camille Levin; #17-Andressinha; #5-Cari Roccaro (#23-Cami Privett 87), #19-Kristie Mewis; #2-Poliana (#9-Sarah Hagen 56), #3-Rachel Daly, #14-Nichelle Prince (#16-Janine Beckie 73)
Subs not used: #30-Bianca Henninger, #24-Kelly Conheeney, #11-Meghan Cox, #27-Caity Heap
CHICAGO RED STARS (4-3-1-2): #1-Alyssa Naeher; #3-Arin Gilliand, #5-Katie Naughton, #16-Sam Johnson, #6-Casey Short; #4-Alyssa Mautz (#12-Yuki Nagasato 86), #8-Julie Ertz, #24-Danielle Colaprico; #10-Vanessa DiBernardo (#7-Taylor Comeau 79); #2-Jen Hoy (#11-Sofia Huerta 70), #23-Christen Press
Subs not used: #18-Michele Dalton, #13-Morgan Brian, #14-Sarah Gorden, #9-Stephanie McCaffrey
TOTAL SHOTS: HOU 18-18 CHI
SHOTS ON GOAL: HOU 8-9 CHI
FOULS: HOU 11-6 CHI
OFFSIDES: HOU 0-5 CHI
CORNER KICKS: HOU 6-4 CHI
SAVES: HOU 6-6 CHI
Referee: Marco Antonio Vega
Assistant Referees: Cory Richardson, Jeremy Kieso
Fourth Official: Jesus Moya
Weather: Sunny and 85º
Woman of the Match: Jen Hoy (CHI)
Attendance: 963
Houston Dash
