Latsko scores twice in win
Midfield strong as team defeats North Carolina for the first time
Before Houston’s NWSL Fall Series opener against North Carolina in mid-September, midfielder Shea Groom said it was time for Houston to finally defeat the Courage.
Houston lost that game, but in their rematch Sunday at BBVA Stadium, the Dash fulfilled her pledge and topped the Courage for the first time in team history, 4-1.
“I feel like we’ve been building this entire season,” forward Veronica Latsko said. “I know last time we played North Carolina, it put a bitter taste in our mouth, so it feels pretty amazing.”
Houston (2-1-0, 6 points) scored 21goals in 24matches last season. In a year that’s been stalled and disrupted because of the coronavirus pandemic, a rejuvenated Dash team has scored 18 goals in just 10 games this year.
That offensive production has inspired greater confidence among players. They put it on display as they pushed downhill early in Sunday’s match and produced more shots on goal than North Carolina (11-1, 4 points).
A 21st-minute shot by midfielder Sophie Schmidt had been the team’s best chance after she steered a header wide of the post. But at the 30-minutemark, she connected.
Midfielder KristieMewis attacked through the far side of the area and pushed a pass into Schmidt, who flicked the ball into the back of the net for the go-ahead goal and pumped her fists. It was her fourth goal in 10 games this year.
“I think we take a lot of pride in ourmidfield unit,” Groom, the former Texas A&M star, said. “We’ve been working on some of the things you saw tonight in the final third and obviously getting three goals from three midfielders is huge.”
Houston doubled its lead in the 37th minute.
Groom created the threat when she pressured midfielder Peyton Perea and poached the ball close to North Carolina’s area. Mewis pounced on the loose ball then slid into a pass that put Latsko oneon- one with goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland. Latsko had Groom looping behind her in support but she didn’t need the help and buried the ball in the corner of the net before a defender could close on her.
Without then-dismissed defender Allysha Chapman, Houston led North Carolina until the closing moments of their last meeting in September.
By Sunday, the pain from that stinging loss still hadn’t subsided for some Dash players. In their rematch, they remained in command.
In the 60th minute, Latsko received a long ball from Chapman with a defender in pursuit. She briefly slowed her attack and sent a pass back to an advancing Mewis, who angled a long shot that swished into the opposite corner of the net.
Courage forward Lynn Williams cut into the deficit through a 74th minute header, but Groom punctuated the win with her 83rd minute goal, which was assisted by Mewis—her third of the game.
“Iwas really glad thatwe could fulfill that promise,” Groom said of her September pledge, adding that it was important to “let people know that the Dash is something to be feared in this league and a team that wins.”