The Houston Dash drew 0-0 at Angel City FC on Tuesday night, moving up to second place in the NWSL standings.
Aside from seeing them move to within just a point off the top of the table, the draw was also the Dash’s sixth game in a row without defeat – a new club record.
That streak is especially notable, given that all six games have come under acting head coach Sarah Lowdon following the suspension of head coach James Clarkson at the end of April.
Clarkson is currently away from the team as the NWSL investigates allegations of “discrimination, harassment, abuse, and bullying.” If Clarkson’s return was highly unlikely at the time of his suspension, it’s looking even more impossible now that his team is thriving in his absence.
“It was a very difficult role for her to step into, but she stepped up to the plate and she’s been brilliant,” Dash forward Rachel Daly told Just Women’s Sports of Lowdon.
“We couldn’t have asked for any more from her and the staff.”
Under Lowdon, the Dash have moved to a three-back system that, combined with some stellar displays from goalkeeper Jane Campbell, have turned them into the league’s stingiest defense. Houston has conceded a league-low three goals in seven matches thus far in 2022.
"We are hard to score against."
WE KNOW THAT'S RIGHT 🗣#HoldItDown pic.twitter.com/zN9BFQN2ee
— Houston Dash (@HoustonDash) June 8, 2022
Further up the pitch, the team’s attack is led by Daly and Nichelle Prince, who are both tied for second in the league in goals with four apiece.
The Dash will now face a major test as Daly departs for Euro 2022 duty with England. Houston has at times been overly reliant on Daly for goals in the past, but a new coach, a stingy defense and help from the likes of Prince and Shea Groom has this side looking well equipped to keep its record run going.
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