HOUSTON (AP) — Tyler Lussi scored in the opening half to give the North Carolina Courage a 1-0 victory over the Houston Dash in a weather-shortened match on Friday night.
Lightning was spotted in the area in the 52nd minute and the game was stopped for more than three hours before officials ended it. At one point players returned to the field to warm up but moments later headed back to the locker room when more lightning was spotted.
The National Women's Soccer League issued a brief statement: “Due to adverse weather conditions, tonight’s match between the Houston Dash and the North Carolina Courage at Shell Energy Stadium has been abandoned. As the first half was played in its entirety, the match is considered complete and will not be rescheduled.”
The victory snapped a three-game losing streak for North Carolina, which hadn't won a match since the opener against the Kansas City Current.
Lussi scored in the 33rd minute for North Carolina (2-3-0) off a cross from Emily Fox.
Sophie Schmidt nearly scored for the Dash (1-1-3) late in the first half but her effort hit the post. Schmidt was playing in her 100th career NWSL match.
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