Seiler’s first career goal nets a historic win in N.C.

The first goal of Gabby Seiler’s career was a big one in the Dash’s history and the 2021 regular season, but it’s also significant because now Seiler knows what she would do if she ever put one in the net.

After unleashing a game-winning free kick in the 62nd minute Saturday night, Seiler ran around the pitch a little bit and then straight to her teammates on the bench before shrieking and jumping into their arms.

It was wild. It was crazy. It was euphoric.

Although the details of the celebration won’t be written in the history books, the meaning of what it sealed and what it could lead to down the road certainly will.

The Dash defeated the North Carolina Courage 2-1 at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C., to clinch their first points in six career meetings at North Carolina.

The triumph also pushes Houston (5-4-1, 16 points) into a four-way tie atop the table with North Carolina (5-4-1, 16 points), Portland and Orlando. The Dash’s current stay at the top will end after Portland and Orlando play on Sunday night, but for now, it is the latest in the season the Dash have ever been in first place.

All that was made possible by Seiler’s free kick from the top of the penalty area for her first career goal in her 34th NWSL appearance.

“It doesn't feel real,” the midfielder said. “I feel like I've dreamed about this moment for so long and I feel like I've been really close to scoring. I would even tell my teammates I can't even imagine what happens when I score.”

Seiler taking the free kick from that spot had been in the works all week. With six international players gone for the Olympics, the team had to figure out who would take over certain responsibilities.

Midfielder Shea Groom said she was confident in what she had seen Seiler do in training and she told Seiler if they were presented with that situation she should take the shot.

With the game tied 1-1, Groom was fouled as she dribbled toward the penalty area, and after she got up the conversation began. Groom and Seiler analyzed the angle, and once they determined it was the right one for Seiler, she volunteered to take it.

They placed the ball, and Groom and midfielder Emily Ogle stood in front of it with their backs to the goal. When the referee blew her whistle, Groom and Ogle ran in opposite directions, and Seiler approached the ball.

She hit a left-footed shot that bent around the left side of the wall and tucked just inside the left post.

“I knew it was in the net before we even set the ball down,” Groom said. “…She’s such a humble and incredible person and for her to get her first (goal) in the NWSL in that fashion was absolutely deserved.”

Groom scored one of her own in the ninth minute to give Houston a 1-0 lead. Veronica Latsko stole the ball on the edge of the attacking third and passed straight ahead to Groom, who was running between two defenders.

Groom hit a rolling, right-footed shot from the top of the penalty area that beat goalkeeper Casey Murphy.

The Dash’s lead was short-lived, as Kristen Hamilton scored a tying goal in the 16th minute, but North Carolina never mounted another attacking threat.

Houston found a little more possession after halftime and dodged a big threat in the second minute of added time when North Carolina’s Jessica McDonald hit a short cross off the crossbar.

When it was over, the Dash had a historic win, and coach James Clarkson said the players’ attitude was the biggest reason why.

“We said don’t worry about the past. We only concentrate on the present,” Clarkson said. “So what’s gone in the past is totally irrelevant for us. If we’ve never won here, we’ve never won. It doesn’t matter. Today is all about the team, the players, their commitment, their fight, their determination to want to win.

“That’s who the Dash are, and we showed in absolute abundance today.”