Rachel Daly scored in the 80th minute for Houston. (Andy Mead/YCJ Photo)

HOUSTON — Rachel Daly made sure she and the Houston Dash got off on the right foot in their National Women’s Soccer League season opener Saturday.

The former St. John’s University standout tallied the second goal of the match, an insurance score in the 80th minute, in the 2-0 win over the Chicago Red Stars at BBVA Compass Stadium.

After forward Kealia Ohai gave the hosts a 1-0 lead in the 15th minute, Daly gave the hosts some breathing room late in the match.

In the 80th minute, Ohai went down the left side and sent a low cross to Daly at the right side of the penalty area. As Daly controlled the ball, she made a half turn to get away from her mark and curled a shot to the upper left corner of the net.

 

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Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.