Gotham FC extends the unbeaten run with a win away to the Houston Dash | OneFootball

NJ/NY Gotham FC extended their unbeaten run to six as they defeated the Houston Dash 1-0. The big news heading into this match was that it was again backup Shelby Hogan in goal after she had earned the win and clean sheet on Wednesday night at Bay FC.

Acting head coach Shaun Harris said it was just rest for the usual starter Ann-Katrin Berger, but the German international wasn't even on the bench for Saturday's match, unlike Wednesday night when she was. This is now three clean sheets in three regular-season starts for Hogan in 2026.

While this result keeps Gotham FC's great form going, it puts a huge dent in Houston's playoff hopes. They now have just one win in five matches since the summer break and sit four points back of the last playoff spot. Plus, every team except for one that separates the Dash in 13th and Angel City FC in the final playoff spot has played fewer games than the Dash, and the task ends up becoming that much more difficult due to this loss to the defending champions.

Gotham FC gets the win in Houston

As expected, given the Houston heat and humidity present Saturday night, the game got off to a bit of a slow start. It then burst into life in the 12th minute when Dash rookie Kat Rader ripped a 25-yard shot that hit the post. Replays showed Hogan did get a fingertip to it, which may have been the difference between the shot going to the post and in instead of hitting the post and out.

Gotham then had two chances of their own as Jaedyn Shaw drove into the box and got a shot off from close range. But it was right at goalkeeper Jane Campbell. Shortly thereafter, a Rose Lavelle cross found Jordynn Dudley in the box, but the rookie's header went over the crossbar. Dudley continued to make an impact, as just three minutes later, she won a penalty kick after being fouled by fellow rookie Leah Klenke.

After a lengthy VAR review to see whether the foul was inside the box, the penalty was confirmed. Sam Kerr stepped up to take it. However, the Australian went low to the keeper's right but missed the net completely, keeping the game scoreless. Campbell did dive the right way and may have had it covered had it been sent on frame.

Houston earned another opportunity shortly after the penalty miss when a scramble in the box eventually saw Maggie Graham get a shot off that deflected on its way to goal. While slightly helped by the reduction in speed from the deflection, Hogan did really well to adjust and get a hand on the shot.

It was then all Gotham from that point on through to halftime as they not only created chances and got off a few good shots, but were clearly trying to wear down and tire out the Dash defenders as they made pass after pass after pass to get the Houston players moving and running as much as they could in the oppressive heat. Ultimately, it did not result in a goal as the game went into halftime tied 0-0.

Nevertheless, Gotham opened the scoring just 30 seconds into the second half. A ball from Lavelle at the top of the box in Gotham's attacking third went towards Guro Reiten, who made a darting run into the box. Rader tried to intercept the pass, but it deflected right into the path of Reiten. Her first-time pass found Kerr, who tapped it home into the far post, amending her first-half penalty miss.

After the goal, Hogan had a few more crucial saves. First, she got down and saved a low-driven shot from Kate Faasse that very nearly snuck into the near post. Then, much later in the half, substitute Sophie Schmidt unleashed a rocket of a shot from just outside the box that Hogan did really well to reach and keep out given the power of the shot. Finally, she pulled out one more in stoppage time from Sarah Puntigam, who also unleashed a cannon from outside the box that Hogan saved brilliantly.

All three of these saves played a huge role in fending off the late pressure from Houston to get the win. Additionally, Gotham won seven points from nine available during the three-game road trip. The win puts the NJ/NY side back on top of the standings at the time of writing, with the Washington Spirit still to play on Sunday afternoon.

The Bats will head home, where they will spend three of their next four games in the month of August. They will first welcome San Diego Wave FC on Friday, August 7. Gotham lost to San Diego 2-0 in their first regular-season match back from the summer break and will seek a win this time.