**Kansas City, Kansas** – The Kansas City Current narrowly defeated the Houston Dash, 2-1, on Friday night thanks in large part to a late winner from substitute Victoria Pickett.
The theme of early goals in this weekend’s Challenge Cup action continued with the Current getting on the board first after just four minutes through forward Kristen Hamilton. The hosts won the first corner of the game, and a high ball that was lifted toward the edge of the box eventually made its way to midfielder Isabel Rodriguez on the left flank. Whipping in a cross with plenty of pace behind it, Hamilton leapt toward the pass and powered home an important header to open the scoring.
The best chance of the first half for Houston came just before the half-hour mark at the feet of forward Michelle Alozie. Receiving a pass from teammate Michaela Abam, Alozie raced into the Current half and down the right side of the field where she fired a powerful effort at Current goalkeeper Adrianna Franch’s goal. Required to dive to make the save, Franch was able to meet the ball destined for the top left side of goal and repel the effort.
At the break, the Current clung to a one-goal lead.
The second half for the Dash saw the introductions of Rachel Daly and Ryan Gareis in place of Alozie and Allysha Chapman, and Daly nearly made an instant impact. Just a few minutes into the second half, Houston was able to cause a bit of panic in front of the Current goal through Daly as she came close to getting on the end of a loose ball in the box but was ultimately judged to have fouled a Current defender as the chance went by.
However, as the half wore on the Dash were able to work their way back into the game and found a big equalizer just before the hour mark. A well-worked move saw attacker María Sánchez receive a pass on the left flank, where she curled in a cross to the back post for midfielder Shea Groom to meet. Virtually unmarked as she sprinted toward the ball in, Groom headed home past Franch from close range to bring the game level.
Not done yet at home, though, Kansas City ended up working their way back into the lead against the run of play late on. In the 80 ^th minute, just two minutes after being substituted on, the Current’s Victoria Pickett ended up on the end of a loose ball in front of goal following a set-piece situation. Doing well to settle just ahead of Dash goalkeeper Jane Campbell being able to produce a save, Pickett pushed a right-footed effort low and under Campbell to restore the lead.
In the 85 ^th minute, the Dash nearly found themselves level again as attacker Michaela Abam chested down a flick from a free kick in the penalty area, but she could not settle it close enough as Franch rushed off her line to intercept and neutralize the threat.
In the end, Kansas City did just enough to edge the Dash, 2-1, behind goals from Hamilton and Groom. The result puts the Current atop the Central Division ahead of Chicago’s meeting with Louisville on Saturday, while the Dash remain bottom after five games played.

Match Highlights

Match Highlights