CHICAGO – The Red Stars came back twice to draw Houston 2-2 at home. Sam Kerr notched her second goal in two games, while Sofia Huerta tallied her third goal of the season.

Despite Chicago’s early pressure, Houston was able to catch a break within the first ten minutes. Off a counter attack, Rachel Daly received a ball over the top of the Red Stars’ high backline, being able to drive into the box and slot it just out of the reach of goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher.

Chicago was quick to equalize as Kerr notched her second goal of the season. A poor pass to the backline combined with Chicago’s high pressure led to Arin Gilliland assisting on Kerr’s equalizer.

In her first start of the season, Julie Ertz made moves toward the goal, nearly getting a great shot on goal before the ball was tangled up with Janine van Wyk and eventually collected by Campbell for the last opportunity of the half.

Just minutes into the second half, Houston earned the go-ahead goal when Daly took a free kick outside the box. Keeping it on the ground, Kyah Simon gave it off to Kristie Mewis who struck it inside the far post to give the Dash the lead.

While the Red Stars continued their attack into the box, creating multiple chances, Houston was struck with a handball inside the 18-yard box. Sofia Huerta stepped up and tallied the second equalizer of the match.

Chicago nearly got the game-winning goal in the final seconds of the match after Kerr came upon a deflected ball in the middle of the box, but her shot went just over the crossbar for the final chance of the night.

Chicago will head back on the road as they travel to Seattle to take on the Reign on Saturday, May 19. The match will begin at 9 p.m. CT, and will be broadcast live on the NWSL app and go90 app.

CHICAGO GOALS:
CHI – Sam Kerr (20’) – After a poor pass from goalkeeper Jane Campbell to her defender, Arin Gilliland ran up to steal the ball inside the box. As Campbell came off her line to cause pressure, Gilliland made a short pass to Kerr, who bagged the goal in the open net.

CHI – Sofia Huerta (65’) – After being down minutes into the second half, Chicago continued their attack for a goal. The Red Stars caught a break after being awarded a penalty kick due to a Houston handball inside the 18-yard box. Sofia Huerta stepped up and notched her third goal of the season.

POST-GAME INTERVIEWS:
Julie Ertz
Sam Kerr

– CHICAGO RED STARS MATCH REPORT –

MATCH: Chicago Red Stars vs. Houston Dash
DATE: May 12, 2018
VENUE: Toyota Park; Bridgeview, Illinois
KICKOFF: 7:00 p.m. CT
ATTENDANCE: 2,372
WEATHER: 49 degrees, cloudy

Scoring Summary:      1          2          F
CHI                              1          1          2
HOU                            1          1          2

HOU – Rachel Daly (Nichelle Prince)                          6’
CHI – Sam Kerr (Arin Gilliland)                                   20’
HOU – Kristie Mewis (Kyah Simon)                            48’
CHI – Sofia Huerta (penalty kick)                                65’

Chicago Red Stars Lineup: 1-Alyssa Naeher; 7-Taylor Comeau, 16-Samantha Johnson, 5-Katie Naughton (4-Alyssa Mautz, 78), 14-Sarah Gorden; 24-Danielle Colaprico, 8-Julie Ertz (capt.) (2-Nikki Stanton, 46), 12-Yuki Nagasato; 3-Arin Gilliland, 11-Sofia Huerta, 20-Sam Kerr
Substitutes: 0-Ryann Torrero, 13-Lauren Kaskie, 15-Michele Vasconcelos, 19-Summer Green, 22-Rosie White
Head Coach: Rory Dames

Houston Dash Lineup: 1-Jane Campbell; 4-Allysha Chapman, 22-Amber Brooks, 5-Janine Van Wyk, 18-Kimberly Keever; 19-Kristie Mewis, 9-Haley Hanson; 14-Nichelle Prince (12-Veronica Latsko, 77); 7-Kealia Ohai (capt.), 3-Rachel Daly, 17-Kyah Simon (6-Meleana Shim, 90+3)
Substitutes: 2-Michaela Hahn, 11-Thembi Kgatlana, 13-Savannah Jordan, 20-Lindsey Agnew, 30-Bianca Henninger
Head Coach: Vera Pauw

Stats Summary: CHI / HOU
Shots: 16/8
Shots on Goal: 3/3
Saves: 1/1
Corner Kicks: 4/0
Fouls: 15/11
Offside: 1/7

Misconduct Summary:
CHI – Sam Johnson (caution)                                      26’
CHI – Taylor Comeau (caution)                                   59’
HOU – Kealia Ohai (caution)                                       89’

Officials:
Referee: Danielle Chesky
Asst. Referee: Alicia Messer, Gjovalin Bori
4th Official: Edgar Osorio