Match Recap: Gotham FC Wins Second Straight Match After 1-0 Road Victory over Houston Dash

Lynn Williams scores in consecutive games to tie NWSL all-time, all competitions goals record

HOUSTON – NJ/NY Gotham FC earned a 1-0 road victory against the Houston Dash at Shell Energy Stadium on Wednesday night after forward Lynn Williams scored an NWSL record-tying goal that helped the visiting team to its second win in consecutive matches. 
 
It did not take long for Gotham FC to open the scoring against the Dash, as Jenna Nighswonger delivered a pinpoint cross to forward Ella Stevens. Starting in her second straight match, Stevens attempted a shot that was saved by Dash goalkeeper Jane Campbell. However, Williams was open in front of goal and capitalized on the rebound to give Gotham FC the 1-0 advantage. 
 
With the finish, Williams has scored in back-to-back games, and now is tied with Sam Kerr for most NWSL career goals in all competitions, with 78 total goals. 
 
Gotham FC earned its second chance of the match in the 27th minute on another delivery from Nighswonger – this time from a set piece.  In a sea of Dash defenders, Gotham FC midfielder Delanie Sheehan had the best look on goal, but her shot was deflected out of bounds before it could land on frame. 
 
In the first half, Gotham FC dominated the offensive stat lines in total shots (10-1), shots on goal (5-1), completed passes (190-155), and dangerous attacks (24-6). 
 
In second-half action, Houston had a late equalizing chance in the 81st minute, when Dash midfielder Sophie Schmidt found an open shot off a Gotham FC turnover in front of goal. Gotham FC goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger made the diving, near-post save to protect the one-goal lead. 
 
Maintaining the club’s defensive stability, which has been a strength this season,  Gotham FC protected its lead by allowing only two shots with one shot on goal in the last 45 minutes.
 
The match finished 1-0 with Gotham FC securing its second straight win and three points. The team finished with 21 shots and 11 on goal while pacing the Dash offensively in possession (52%-48%), completed passes (307-281), and dangerous attacks (52-14).
 
Gotham FC will next travel to face the San Diego Wave on Sunday, May 12 at 7:30 pm ET before returning to Red Bull Arena to host the Chicago Red Stars on Sunday, May 19, with kickoff set for 5:00 pm ET. 
 

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POSTGAME ASSETS 
 
QUOTES
Gotham FC Head Coach Juan Carlos Amorós
On tonight’s win…
Well, I think the players executed the game plan almost to perfection.I am very, very proud of how they’ve been able to perform like that in such a shorter space of time. We still have a lot of problems with players that want to help the team, but they’re still not fully ready to do it. How they go out there in such a difficult place like this one, dominate the game offensively, defensively. Again, we are close to 20 shots, and really limiting the opposition to almost anything, I think, from start to finish.
 
On preparations for Gotham FC’s next match against San Diego…
I think we are again, preparing, looking at us, looking at our style, looking at who we want to be on the football pitch with time, with more players coming and more time training, more chemistry, more understanding of the style. I think the team is growing. We can see that. And really, looking forward to going to San Diego. Last year, we lost in that game over there. And we have very good memories of that stadium. So we want to make sure that we stay with good memories.
 
Gotham FC Defender Maycee Bell
On getting her first start…
Honestly, it was amazing. I’ve just been trying to work my butt off during practice and super excited to get this opportunity. First couple of minutes just had to let the nerves kind of feel themselves out, but I thought overall we did really well, and it was awesome to be on the field.
 
On playing outside back…
Outside back is definitely a little new to me, but all the coaches have been amazing and just teaching me what they want me to do and how we’re going to play it here. It was awesome. I mean, I love attacking. So it was awesome to be able to get higher up on the field. And, then I’m surrounded by amazing players, so they make it easy.

Gotham FC Forward Ella Stevens
On Gotham FC’s depth…
Yeah, it’s really important to have depth. Especially when you have three-game weeks like this one. I think everyone is stepping up into whatever role they’re asked to do. I’m just really happy with how we’ve shown up these past 2 games.
 
On adapting to her role at Gotham FC…
Obviously coming onto a new team, a whole new group of players, it’s taken time to learn everyone and what they prefer to do, and the balls they prefer to play. I think I’m starting to read everyone a little bit better. It makes it easier. Yeah. And like Maycee said, everyone’s so good that it just makes it easy to kind of just fill the spaces and just be ready if the ball pops out and that’s what I’ve tried to do.
 
Key Match Notes

• Lynn Williams has tied Sam Kerr’s record for goals in all competitions with 78.
• Gotham FC extended its unbeaten streak to three games, the longest since its playoff run to the NWSL championship last year.
• Gotham FC has three shutouts, tied for the league lead, and held Houston to three shots.
• Gotham FC beat Houston for the first time since May 2021.
• Gotham FC shut out its opponent in the first half for the fourth time in seven matches this year.
• The club is undefeated in its last 16 games when scoring first.
• Maycee Bell made her first professional start.
• Esther, Delanie Sheehan and Emily Sonnett continued their streak of starting every regular season match. 
• Lynn Williams tied Sam Kerr’s league record with her 78th goal in all competitions, picked up her 66th in the regular season, second in league history to Kerr’s 77, and struck against the Dash for the 10th time in all competitions.
• Williams also extended her league record with her 21st game-winning goal.

MATCH SUMMARY
Houston Dash vs. Gotham FC
May 8, 2024 – Shell Energy Stadium
 
Goals by Half               1       2          F
Houston Dash                0      0          0
Gotham FC                    1      0          1
 
Scoring Summary:
NJY: Lynn Williams (8′)
 
Misconduct Summary:
HOU: Yellow Cards: Michelle Alozie (44′), Barbara Olivieri (87′)
NJY: Yellow Cards: Jenna Nighswonger (18′), Maitane Lopez (90+5′)
 
Lineups:
NJY: Ann-Katrin Berger, Maycee Bell, Emily Sonnett,  Sam Hiatt, Nealy Martin, Delanie Sheehan, Crystal Dunn (Maitane Lopez 89′), Jenna Nighswonger (Bruninha 76′), Lynn Williams (C) (Yazmeen Ryan 76′), Ella Stevens (Rose Lavelle 76′), Esther (Mandy Freeman 90+4′)
 
HOU: Jane Campbell, Paige Nielsen, Courtney Petersen, Diana Ordonez, Andressa (Natalie Jacobs 46′), Michelle Alozie, Sophie Schmidt (Jyllissa Harris 84′), Barbara Olivieri, Sophie Hirst (Avery Patterson 46′), Ramona Bachmann, Elin Rubebsson (Isabella Briede 38′)