NWSL Challenge Cup: Washington beats Houston, Chicago edges Utah late

HERRIMAN, Utah — Bayley Feist scored early and the Washington Spirit held off the Houston Dash for a 1-0 victory on Sunday in the National Women’s Soccer League’s Challenge Cup.

Feist grabbed a pass from Ashley Hatch and scored from atop the penalty area in the 16th minute at Zions Bank Stadium.

Rachel Daly had a good chance for the Dash in the final minutes of the opening half, but her angled shot hit the far corner of the crossbar. Daly and teammate Shea Groom each had two goals going into the match.

The Spirit did not play U.S. national team star Rose Lavelle. The team lost midfielder Andi Sullivan early in the second half when she had to be helped off the field with an apparent injury.

With the win, the Spirit move into second place in the standings behind the North Carolina Courage. North Carolina plays Sky Blue FC on Monday in the final game of the first round (10 p.m., CBS All Access).

Casey Short scored in the 85th minute and the Chicago Red Stars beat the Utah Royals 1-0 on Sunday night in the National Women’s Soccer League’s Challenge Cup.

Short's header off Savannah McCaskill's cross gave the Red Stars their first win of the group stage at Zions Bank Stadium. U.S. national team goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher got three saves in the shutout, and now has 11 saves in four Challenge Cup games.

The Royals rested their usual starters, including Amy Rodriguez and Vero Boquete.

Utah's Taylor Leach was injured in a collision during the opening half and was replaced by Elizabeth Ball. Kelly O'Hara, who was coming off an injury and hadn't played in the tournament, came in off the bench for the Royals in the 71st minute.

The Red Stars subbed out starter Tierna Davidson, who was making her Challenger Cup debut, in the first half. Morgan Gautrat, formerly Morgan Brian, hurt her right knee at the end of the first half.

Inquirer staff writer Jonathan Tannenwald contributed to this report.