HOUSTON – The Orlando Pride defeated host Houston Dash 1-0 Friday night, earning its first away win this season.
It's the team's third consecutive win, which bumped the club into second place in the National Women’s Soccer League as of Friday night.
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Orlando earned its third straight shutout on Kristen Edmonds' first career NWSL goal, team officials said.
"I thought the first half we were lacking a little bit of energy and couldn't get close enough to Houston, but we did well," head coach Tom Sermanni said. "We kept our discipline, we kept hanging in, we kept doing what was necessary to come [into halftime] nil-nil. I thought our second-half performance was better. I thought we showed more energy, we competed better, we started getting more territory and started creating a few more chances. As long as we keep the clean sheet, I know we're a team that’s going to eventually create a chance [in the game]. So tonight was a great, gritty, determined away win."
The team said Edmonds came through after 81 minutes with a shot from the top of the arch, beating Lydia Williams with a strike that nicked the underside of the crossbar and fell into the net.
Lianne Sanderson found Edmonds with a pass across the field into open space, which allowed the third-year veteran space and time to find the shot, team officials said.
"Kristen Edmonds is having a stellar season and further enhanced that season with a stellar goal," Sermanni said.
Orlando remains on the road for three more matches, first traveling to face FC Kansas City at 8:30 p.m. May 28. The team said it returns June 23 to Camping World Stadium to host the Dash for the third time this season.