Kristie Mewis leads Houston to first win of the season

The Houston Dash broke their winless streak Saturday night, powering past the Red Stars 2-1 at home.

📼 Sights from Space City 📼#HOUvCHI | @Nationwide pic.twitter.com/f6oldPXosi

— National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) May 30, 2021

The game was open from the start, with both teams streaking up and down the field for most of the 90 minutes.

The Red Stars struck first with a moment of individual brilliance from Mal Pugh. In the 4^th minute, Pugh darted down the flank, cutting inside to rocket the ball into the far post.

In her first season in Chicago, Pugh has been the Red Stars’ most dangerous striker, appearing to be in top form as she tries to work her way back into the national team conversation.

.@MalPugh wasting NO TIME 😏#HOUvCHI | https://t.co/bONPZnnmCJ | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/zSs35NKgI1

— National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) May 29, 2021

In the 18^th minute, Nichelle Prince used some fancy footwork to create space at the edge of the box before looping in a ball over Alyssa Naeher’s gloves. The impeccable finish equalized the game at 1-1.

A royal finish from @nichelleprince7 👑#HOUvCHI | https://t.co/bONPZnnmCJ | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/sH6ptuAOIz

— National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) May 29, 2021

Splitting possession, the rest of the game felt within reach for both sides. However, it was the Houston Dash that found the go-ahead goal in the 83^rd minute.

Kristie Mewis lined up to take the corner for Houston, lobbing the ball into the box where her cross was deflected out to Schmidt. Schmidt gathering the stray ball and sent it back to the far post, where Mewis was waiting to tap in the well-timed service.

A little bit of Mewis Magic 🪄#HOUvCHI | https://t.co/bONPZnnmCJ | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/glTYbpLfki

— National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) May 30, 2021

The score line stayed at 2-1 for the remaining minutes of the game, earning the Dash their first win of the regular season.

The Dash will look to ride their momentum from Saturday night into the team’s game against Kansas City on June 6. The Red Stars will hope to move out of the bottom third of the league standings when they face the Courage on Saturday.