Sky Blue FC prior to the match vs Seattle. Photo by: Stacy Podelski/1495Sports

Sky Blue FC (0-16-5, 5 points) returned to National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) action on Saturday, falling to the Houston Dash (9-9-5, 32 points) at BBVA Compass Stadium, 6-1.

Houston was able to break the deadlock in the 22nd minute of this contest. On that sequence, a ball was sent over the top for Rachel Daly as she entered the penalty area, playing her into a 1v1 situation with Sky Blue FC goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan. After Daly took a quick touch, Sheridan came off her post to make a diving stop, but her rejection landed directly at the feet of Linda Motlhalo just outside the 18, where she was able to one-time a go-ahead tally that gave the Dash a 1-0 advantage.

In the 48th minute, the Houston lead was stretched to 2-0 after a ball was thrown-in to Sofia Huerta with space on the right flank. She then cut inside before sending a cross to the far post, where Veronica Latsko was waiting to redirect a header into the back of the net.

Sky Blue FC did pull one back in the 54th minute after Shea Groom looked to cut a through-ball into the box for Katie Johnson, but a defender was able to poke it before the feed arrived. As it fell to a defender, Imani Dorsey powered her way into possession of the ball before slotting a shot underneath Dash goalkeeper Jane Campbell to make it 2-1.

In the 65th minute, Kealia Ohai made a run down the left flank before delivering a cross that was just a bit heavy and made its way to the right side of the box. As the ball bounced into that area, Huerta found herself well-positioned to strike a side volley that she tucked inside the far post, making it a 3-1 game.

Two minutes later, the advantage was extended to three goals when Huerta was taken down in the box for a penalty kick opportunity. Stepping over the ensuing try was Daly, who converted to make it 4-1 in favor of Houston.

The tally soon became 5-1 in the 88th minute of play, as Kyah Simon found Haley Hanson on a late corner kick. The final 6-1 count was then placed on the scoreboard in the 90th minute when Thembi Kgatlana acquired the ball in the midfield from Hanson and made a long run with possession before slotting a shot into the goal.

Sky Blue FC will continue its current four-game road stretch next Saturday against the Washington Spirit before returning home to Yurcak Field for its 2018 season finale on Saturday, September 8, hosting the Orlando Pride for a noon kickoff. Tickets for that game are available now online or by calling 888-SBFC-TIX (888-723-2849). The first 1,500 fans through the gates will receive a Carli Lloyd bobblehead, courtesy of Brielle Orthopedics.

For more information on Sky Blue FC and for tickets to upcoming games fans are encouraged to click on the link seen here:

http://www.skybluefc.com/