HOUSTON (July 8, 2025) – The Houston Dash earned a 4-0 victory over Rayadas de Monterrey at Shell Energy Stadium tonight. The team will return to action on Sunday, July 20 when they host Carolina Ascent in a friendly at Houston Sports Park.
Midfielder Delanie Sheehan opened the scoring for Houston in 24th minute after midfielder Sarah Puntigam slipped a ball through the Rayadas backline. Sheehan created space from the top of the box and found the back post.
Defender Avery Patterson doubled the lead with a first-touch, left-footed shot into the bottom right corner, finishing a low cross from Ryan. Patterson, who recently scored her first goal for the U.S. Women’s National Team last month, was one of five Dash players called up for international duty in June.
Midfielder Maggie Graham added a third goal for Houston in the 73rd minute, finishing a rebound after Manrique parried a shot from midfielder Kiki Van Zanten. In the last minutes of the match Houston capped off with a fourth goal in the 87th minute by Van Zanten who took a touch from Patterson to the center of the net.
Defender Allysha Chapman and midfielder Rebeca earned their first start of the year for the team and this was also their first appearance in 2025. Defender Zoe Matthews made her first appearance of the year when she entered the game in the 63rd minute.
Houston’s first chance of the match came in the 13th minute after Sheehan delivered the ball into the box for defender Natalie Jacobs, whose header was saved by Rayadas goalkeeper, Paola Manrique. This was the first of five saves the team forced tonight.
The Dash threatened again minutes later when forward Messiah Bright broke into the box and fired a shot to the near post, but her effort was denied.
Forward Ryan Gareis nearly doubled the lead in the 28th minute with a strike from distance that was saved by Manrique.
Forward Yazmeen Ryan nearly added to the scoreline in first half stoppage time with a driven shot on goal, but her attempt was denied. Ryan created the first opportunity of the second half when she forced the Rayadas defense to clear the ball inside the box.
Rayadas’ best opportunity of the second half came in the 55th minute following a corner kick, but the Monterrey player was ruled offside.
In the 61st minute, Houston was awarded a free kick just outside the box, but the Rayadas goalkeeper was well positioned to handle Puntigam’s shot.
The Dash return to league play on August 2 as they travel west to face Bay FC. The team reruns to Shell Energy Stadium on Friday, August 8 to host the North Carolina Courage. Tickets for the match and all Dash matches is available at HoustonDash.com.
