Super Falcons forward Michelle Alozie delivered a match-winning moment in the NWSL on Sunday, scoring a stoppage-time goal to give Houston Dash a 2-1 victory over NJ/NY Gotham FC at Sports Illustrated Stadium.
Michelle Alozie, who was part of Nigeria’s WAFCON 2025–winning squad, netted her first goal of the season in the 93rd minute. The forward latched onto a perfectly timed through ball from Sarah Puntigam before slotting a composed right-footed finish past goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger to seal all three points for the Dash.
Gotham had taken an early lead in the eighth minute when Esther González finished from close range after Rose Lavelle’s strike came off the post. But Houston equalized shortly after halftime when defender Emily Sonnett turned the ball into her own net under pressure from Kiki Van Zanten, who has now played a key role in consecutive matches since the summer break.
With the game seemingly heading for a draw, Alozie’s late strike capped off a dramatic turnaround for Houston, who are now unbeaten in three matches and have won back-to-back games.
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The result also extends their impressive record of points won from losing positions, leading the league with 11 this season.
Speaking about her goal, Michelle Alozie explained that her initial instinct was to pass, but after her first touch toward goal, the only option left was to finish it.
“I knew I needed to bend my run and stay onside. At first, I was actually looking for Maggi (Graham), but I think she played it to Sarah (Puntigam) instead, and Sarah gave me a beautiful ball. From there, I knew I had to take my touch toward the goal, and then I buried it,” Alozie said.
Reflecting on the team’s resurgence after the summer break, Alozie said they remained confident that their season was still alive and only needed to regroup and push forward.
“We knew that with Angela (Wright-Cates) and Fabrice (Gautrat) coming in, it was going to take some time. Obviously, the first half of the season wasn’t what we wanted, but we also knew the season wasn’t over during the break. We just had to recalibrate, regroup, come back stronger, and get these wins to make sure we can make this playoff push.”
The Houston Dash will be back in action on Sunday, August 24, when they welcome Seattle Reign FC to Shell Energy Stadium.
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