SEATTLE, WA – Seattle Reign FC remain unbeaten following their 2-0 victory over the Houston Dash in front of 2,290 supporters at the Moda Pitch at Memorial Stadium on Sunday, April 27.

Scottish international Kim Little registered her second two-goal performance of the season and now leads the National Women’s Soccer League in goals with four.

Reign FC opened the scoring in the 19th minute, after U.S. Women’s National Team forward Sydney Leroux was brought down in the box by Dash midfielder Becky Edwards.

The resulting penalty was taken by Little who stepped up to the spot and calmly placed the ball past keeper Erin McLeod giving Seattle a 1-0 lead, and giving Little her second converted penalty this season.

A scary moment came in the 34th minute as Dash forward Ella Masar violently clashed heads with Kendall Fletcher and fell to the turf. Masar appeared to be okay and finished the remainder of the match.

Little scored again in the 39th minute after Bev Goebel’s through ball split the Dash backline and fell to her feet. The midfielder cut back to her right foot and placed in a strike to give her a brace.

“I truly believe that Kim is one of the best number 10’s in the world,” said head coach and general manager Laura Harvey. “The second goal really showed her class more than anything else.”

Nearing the end of the first half, the Dash had their best opportunity to get one back. An unmarked Masar received a cross at the far post but hit her strike across the face of the goal.

Late in the second half Reign FC captain Keelin Winters had a go from distance and forced McLeod to make a terrific leaping save to tip the ball just over the bar.

In the 90th minute, Leroux sprung free for a breakaway and rounded the outrushing McLeod but the forwards final strike hit the front post as she wasn’t able to put home her first of the season.

Reign FC dominated in possession throughout the match and severely outshot the Dash 14-4.

The win is Seattle’s third of the season and keeps Reign FC in first place in the league standings with nine points.

“If you could have written the script before the season, it wouldn’t be much different than how it’s panned out,” Harvey said. “It’s fantastic to have nine points and three wins on the board already.”

Next up for Seattle in their run of three away games is Sky Blue FC on Wednesday, April 30 at Yurcak Field. The match kicks off at 4 p.m. (PT) and will be available via a live, high-definition webstream at YouTube.com/NWSL.

Visit ReignFC.com or call (855) REIGN-FC for details on single match tickets.

Seattle Reign FC vs. Houston Dash April 27, 2014 – Memorial Stadium (Seattle, Wash.)

Scoring Summary

SRFC – Little, 19 (PK)

SRFC – Little, 39

Misconduct Summary

SRFC – Reed (Caution), 39

SRFC – Winters (Caution), 62

HOU – Ohale (Caution), 77

Lineups & Stats

SRFC: GK Hope Solo, D Lauren Barnes, D Kendall Fletcher, D Stephanie Cox, M Elli Reed, M Kim Little, M Jess Fishlock (Kate Denies 88), M Keelin Winters, M Beverly Goebel (Danielle Foxhoven 71), F Nahomi Kawasumi, F Sydney Leroux.

HOU: GK Erin McLeod, D Arianna Romero, D Osinachi Ohale, D Holly Hein, M Nikki Washington (Stephanie Ochs 67), M Jordan Jackson, M Teresa Noyola (Marissa Diggs 45), M Becky Edwards, F Kealia Ohai (Kika Toulouse 45), F Ella Masar, F Lindsay Elston.

Referee: Dimitar Chavadarov

Assistant Referees: Eduardo Mariscal, Ben Warren

4th Official: Lucas Brooks

Attendance: 2,290

Weather: Partly cloudy, 51 degrees



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