NWSL: Mallory Pugh scores first professional goal

• by Paul Kennedy  @pkedit, Jun 6, 2017

Mallory Pugh scored her first professional goal as the Washington Spirit earned a 2-0 win over the visiting Houston Dash and moved out of last place in the NWSL.

The 19-year-old Pugh, who signed with the Spirit four weeks ago, scored when she took a pass from Kristie Mewis before beating the Dash's Australian goalkeeper, Lydia Williams in the 69th minute.

The loss dropped Houston into last place. It was the Dash's first game since it parted ways with head coach Randy Waldrum and appointed assistant coach Omar Morales as interim coach.
 
“I thought our whole team defended really well,” said Spirit head coach and general manager Jim Gabarra. “Offensively, I thought our speed and our dynamic movement up front kind of overwhelmed them.” 
 
All 10 NWSL teams will be off next weekend as the league pauses for the FIFA women's international break.



NWSL, Week 8 Results
SATURDAY, JUNE 3
North Carolina 2 (Zerboni 60, Hatch 67) FC Kansas City 0.
Att.: 3,717.
Sky Blue FC 0 Portland 2 (Horan 20, 42).
Att.: 2,418.
Orlando 2 (Marta pen. 9, Spencer 13) Boston 0.
Att.: 5,185.
Washington 2 (Williams 3, Pugh 69) Houston 0.
Att.: 3,096.
SUNDAY, JUNE 4
Chicago 1 (Press 49) Seattle 0.
Att.: 3,147.

NWSL Standings:
1. North Carolina 18 points;
2. Chicago 16;
3. Portland 15;
4. Sky Blue FC 13.
5. Seattle 12;
6. FC Kansas City 11;
7. Orlando 9
8. Boston 8;
9. Washington 7.
10. Houston 6.

NWSL Leading Scorers:
G PLAYER (TEAM)
5 Sarah Killion (Sky Blue FC)
4 Megan Rapinoe (Seattle)
4 Nadia Nadim (Portland)