**HOUSTON, Tex.** – The Kansas City Current finally had some momentum turn their way as they defeated the Houston Dash, 2-0, on the road to earn a first victory on the year in all competitions and kick off their 2023 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup campaign the right way. First, it was forward Cece Kizer whose 36 ^th minute strike first put the Current ahead. Then, Kizer’s brace came in the 66 ^th minute to put a final stamp on the match and give the Current three points in their opener.
The game’s scoring kicked off in the 36th minute when Kizer was unleashed via a through ball from teammate Lo’eau LaBonta which sent her streaking down the center of the field. Kizer then outpaced the rest of the Dash defense and rolled a shot around Houston goalkeeper Jane Campbell to send her side in front before the break.
Houston would have a couple of glimpses at goal before the end of the half, though, beginning with Courtney Peterson’s strike from distance in the 43 ^rd minute. A cross that attempted to reach the box was cleared outside to the left where Peterson was within reach. Collecting the ball and opting to fire what was almost a half-volley toward goal, Peterson swung her left foot with venom and made good contact with the ball only for Current goalkeeper Cassie Miller to produce a fine stop. A late free kick at the end of the half was also saved by Miller and the Dash went into the halftime break down a goal.
Into the second half, the Current attempted to find a second goal just before the hour mark as Kizer and forward Michelle Cooper connected only for Cooper to lift her shot over the bar and out of play in the end. Then, Houston turned the tide briefly as forward Ebony Salmon tried to end off a good team move with a shot only to see her own effort rise over the crossbar.
Then, in the 66 ^th minute, Kansas City found a match-defining second goal through Kizer once more to double their advantage over Houston. Lo’eau LaBonta was in possession on the right side of the field and decided to curl a cross through the center of the box and toward a pair of teammates. The ball snuck through all in the middle and instead ended up near Kizer at the back post. Kizer then somehow got just enough of the outside of her right foot on the ball to redirect it toward goal, and though a Houston defender got a head on the effort in the end, the ball crossed the line and the goal was credited to Kizer.
In the 71 ^st minute, Houston came close to pulling one back as Salmon was again in attack. Moving ahead down the right side of the penalty area, Salmon ripped a right-footed shot on goal that forced Miller into a smart stop, though the ball rolled back into play. However, the Kansas City defense was able to clear in the end and the chance went missing for Houston.
With a little continued back-and-forth failing to produce quality chances in front of goal, Kansas City would be able to hold on through the game’s final 20 minutes and earn a great first Challenge Cup win on the road against the Dash.

Match Highlights

Match Highlights