Midge Purce scored the lone goal in the 30th minute. (Howard Smith/ISI Photos)

HARRISON, N.J. – Midge Purce scored the lone goal to led NJ/NY Gotham FC to a 1-0 win over the Houston Dash in the National Women’s Soccer League season opener for both teams at Red Bull Arena Saturday night.

Purce put in an Evelyne Viens feed past goalkeeper Jane Campbell for what turned out to be the lone goal of the match on the half hour.

Gotham FC goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan, who had been sidelined for the NWSL Challenge Cup, was back in the net for the hosts, making four saves. Campbell had one.

Houston outshot Gotham FC, 21-10.

“I’m very pleased with our performance,” Gotham FC head coach Freya Coombe said. “I think it was strong and we possessed the ball well. That was something we asked from the team to start the game, to improve our possession compared to some of our previous matches and I was pleased with our response. Credit to Houston, they came back in the second half and made it hard for us and created more opportunities. Overall, I’m really pleased to be able to get the first win at home in our league campaign.”

Added Sheridan: “Being back at Red Bull is the best feeling in the world. When you walk into the arena, it’s just an incredible vibe that you get and the standard of professionalism. Honestly, this club and these girls deserve it, so having the fans and Cloud 9 cheering us on with their big banner, it was a really good feeling.”

In last week’s Challenge Cup final, Gotham FC played the Portland Thorns to a 1-1 draw in regulation before losing in a shootout, 6-5.