In a thrilling conclusion at WakeMed Soccer Park, the Houston Dash secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over the North Carolina Courage thanks to a stoppage-time goal by Clarissa Larisey on Sunday night. Larisey’s 93rd-minute strike completed a spirited comeback on the road, highlighting an intense contest between two competitive NWSL sides.
North Carolina Courage & Houston Dash Exchange Early Strikes
The match saw an early exchange of goals, with the Courage opening the scoring in the 37th minute through Ally Schlegel. However, Houston responded swiftly as Kate Faasse leveled the score just five minutes later, capitalizing on a deflected shot. The momentum shifted again shortly after halftime when Golden Boot contender Evelyn Ijeh restored North Carolina’s lead in the 51st minute.
As the game progressed, the Dash looked to their substitutes for a decisive spark. Larisey answered the call by equalizing in the 80th minute, setting the stage for a dramatic finish. Deep into stoppage time, she connected with a precise delivery from Lisa Boattin to net the winning goal, completing Houston’s comeback.
This latest winner marked Houston’s fifth stoppage-time goal of the season and made Larisey the first Dash player since 2014 to score twice as a substitute, a notable milestone for the club. Meanwhile, Ijeh’s strike brought her tally to 10 goals this season, jointly forming one of the league’s most prolific attacking duos alongside teammate Ashley Sanchez.
With this result, Houston improves their record to 6-8-5 as they prepare to host Chicago Stars FC on Wednesday. The North Carolina Courage will turn their attention to a Saturday clash against the Boston Legacy.