For the second time this season, the OL Reign held off the Houston Dash to earn three points in their first of three away games. With this win, the OL Reign remain in third place, although they are now tied with the North Carolina Courage for points.

With Bethany Balcer's eighth goal of the season in the seventh minute, the OL Reign gained an early lead in the game. Jess Fishlock put Houston under a lot of pressure to steal passes throughout the game. Fishlock and Le Sommer collaborated for a shot, but Houston goalie Jane Campbell stopped the attempt. Balcer had been anticipating the rebound and would go on to tap the ball into the net to give the Reign an early lead.

Despite having the bulk of possession in the first half, Houston was never able to keep the ball in critical situations. Rose Lavelle, Balcer, and Angelina had a combined three chances on goal for OL Reign before the half ended, but none of them were successful. The Reign maintained their menacing presence throughout the half, and their high-pressure style increased as the game progressed, but the Dash headed into halftime with a one-goal lead.

Things grew heated between the two sides at the conclusion of the game as Houston looked for an equalizer and the Reign denied them. Four yellow cards were issued in the second half, three for Houston and one for OL Reign, due to raging tempers and exhausted legs. The Reign were able to keep the game close through six minutes of stoppage time to secure a hard-earned three points.

[Photography by ICONIC photographer Nikki Flores]