SEATTLE (AP) — Nérilia Mondésir became the first Haitian-born player to score in the National Women’s Soccer League with her winning goal in the Seattle Reign’s 2-1 victory over the Houston Dash on Friday night.
The Reign (6-14-5) snapped a five-game losing and scoreless streak with the win.
Olivia Athens got things started for the Reign in the 22nd minute. After a corner kick was cleared to her at the top of the box, Athens hit a hard shot into the near-post corner.
Barbara Olivieri equalized for the Dash three minutes later, scoring on a penalty kick after getting taken down in the box.
Mondésir, in her first start since signing with the Reign in August, pounced on a loose ball in the box and shot through the legs of goalkeeper Jane Campbell in the 65th minute.
Houston (5-15-5) remained in last place. Both teams had already been eliminated from playoff contention before Friday’s match.
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
The Associated Press