Summit-Dash NWSL Draw
Janine Sonis Scores for Denver Summit as They Battle Houston Dash to 2-2 NWSL Draw
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Janine Sonis scored a goal and set up another as the Denver Summit drew 2-2 with the visiting Houston Dash on Sunday in the NWSL, according to AP News. The result keeps both teams in the tight playoff bubble — Denver sits at 4-5-4 and Houston at 4-5-7 in the standings.
The match was a back-and-forth affair from the start. Four goals came in a wild stretch around halftime, with neither side able to hold a lead for long. Denver dominated possession at 57% and outshot Houston 14-6, but a pair of quick Houston equalizers denied the Summit a win, Winnipeg Free Press reported.
Four Goals in a Frantic Stretch Around Halftime
Houston's Yazmeen Ryan broke the deadlock in the 12th minute, scoring against her former club. Ryan had been traded from the Dash to Denver in March for a league-record $1 million in transfer funds. Her goal gave Denver the early lead, but Houston hit back fast. Kat Rader equalized less than three minutes later, according to The Star.
Sonis then put Denver back ahead with a penalty kick in the 45th minute. But Houston refused to fold. Linda Ullmark, an 18-year-old midfielder, scored her first professional goal just three minutes into the second half to make it 2-2. That is how the match ended — a hard-fought point for both teams.
Sonis Shines Against Her Former Club's Former Teammates
Sonis, a Canadian international who serves as Denver's captain, was the standout player on the night. She set up Ryan's opening goal with a ground-corner pass, then calmly converted the penalty to restore Denver's lead. She was also competing against former teammate Jane Campbell, Houston's goalkeeper, adding a personal storyline to the match, Herald Bulletin noted.
Denver head coach Nick Cushing has spoken about giving his players freedom on the field. After a recent win, he said: "I stepped off the pedal a little bit and pushed the players to the front... it was critical that our players took responsibility." Sonis delivered on that trust on Sunday night.
Denver's Playoff Hopes Hinge on Closing Defensive Gaps
Denver's biggest issue on the night was defensive concentration. They gave up a goal within three minutes of taking the lead — twice. That kind of lapse has hurt the team before, including a 3-0 loss to Kansas City earlier this season. With an xG (expected goals, a measure of shot quality) of 1.62 for Denver and 1.63 for Houston, the match was nearly perfectly even on the scoreboard and statistically, Joplin Globe reported.
The draw keeps Denver firmly in the middle of the pack. They now have 13 points and are fighting to stay in playoff contention. The club is also preparing for a major milestone: the July 18 opening of Centennial Stadium, their long-delayed home ground. Construction setbacks forced Denver to play recent home matches at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City.
Seattle Reign End Five-Match Winless Run in Cascadia Derby
Elsewhere on Sunday, the Seattle Reign beat the Portland Thorns 2-0 to snap a five-match winless streak. Ryanne Brown, returning from a serious knee injury, scored her first career NWSL goal. Maddie Mercado added a second. Goalkeeper Cassie Miller was outstanding, making nine saves — a career high — to preserve the clean sheet, according to Yahoo Sports.
The win drew 14,793 fans to Lumen Field, the fourth-largest standalone crowd in Reign history. The Cascadia rivalry between Seattle and Portland is one of the oldest in the NWSL. Seattle now sits at 5-6-2 and is within three points of the playoff line, making the result crucial for their season outlook.
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