Rachel Daly announced herself as a new star to watch as the NWSL season kicked off this past weekend. Daly, who hails from Harrogate in England, scored one and assisted one in her debut for the Houston Dash as they trounced the Chicago Red Stars 3-1 in front of a vociferous home crowd.
Houston acquired Rachel Daly with the sixth pick of the NWSL draft as they looked to add some firepower to their frontline. It's a move which may make Houston a team to fear this year, as both the Seattle Reign and FC Kansas City, reigning shield-holders and champions respectively, faltered on opening day.
Photo: @NWSL | Twitter
Despite only playing for three years at St. Johns University due to NCAA compliance regulations, Daly set their single season scoring record (23) and holds their career scoring record with 50 goals. All in all, Daly scored 50 and assisted 11 in 60 games, which puts her on the same level as Alex Morgan at college level. She was also ranked at #7 out of the top-100 college players in the postseason last year by Top Drawer Soccer.
Rachel Daly, a senior from Harrogate, England, is now #SJUWSOC's all-time scoring leader! Congratulations Rachel! pic.twitter.com/CzjhZmiLS5
— St. John's Red Storm (@StJohnsRedStorm) October 4, 2015
Rachel Daly made her debut in preseason against Baylor University, scoring two and assisting one in a 4-2 win, and she seems to have taken that form directly into the regular season. Against Chicago, Daly ran onto a loose ball and unleashed a wonderful one-touch curled finish to equalize for the Dash. She wasn't done yet however, as she put in a pinpoint cross for Carli Lloyd to head in. Not bad for your professional debut.
Photo: @HoustonDash | Twitter
It's still early days in the NWSL season, but if Rachel Daly continues to play like she did against Chicago, then the Houston Dash could be well-placed for a championship run.
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