Dudinha and Trinity Byers scored to lead the San Diego Wave to a 2-0 win over the Chicago Stars on Sunday.
In other National Women’s Soccer League games, Gotham FC defeated the Houston Dash, 1-0, and North Carolina defeated Angel City, 2-1.
San Diego (8-4-1) wasted no time, taking a 1-0 lead when Leah Godfrey scored Dudinha in the third minute.
Waves rookie defender Mimi Van Zanten had to come off the bench in the 90th minute after a collision with Stars midfielder Leilani Nesveth.
Eight minutes into stoppage time, Jordyn Huytema appeared to tie the game for Chicago (3-9-0). After a video review, the goal was ruled offside.
Byers, a second-half substitute, scored in the final minutes of stoppage time to take a 2-0 lead and propel the Wave to the top of the NWSL standings as the league enters an extended summer break.
Goalkeeper Didi Halacic made three saves en route to his first clean sheet of the season.
Stars forward Mallory Swanson makes her first start since returning from maternity leave, coming on as a substitute in the 64th minute.
Gotham Post NWSL record 8 shutouts
Gotham (6-2-3) won the Dash, extending its historic defensive record with its eighth shutout in its first 11 games.
Gotham defender Tianna Davidson sent a long ball to Jordyn Dudley, who converted with her left foot in the 8th minute for a 1-0 lead. The assist was Davidson’s first in NWSL play.
Goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger (abdominal), who was injured during the CONCACAF W Champions Cup, has been placed on the absentee list. Shelby Hogan started in his place and made three saves in the shutout win.
The Houston Dash (4-6-2) have just one win in their last eight games.
Courage 3 consecutive wins
Manaka Matsukubo had an assist and a goal as North Carolina Courage (5-3-3) defeated Angel City FC (4-6-1).
Evelyn Ige coolly scored the ball that Matsukubo slipped through, giving Courage a 1-0 lead in the 48th minute. With this goal, Ije was on the scoresheet for the third consecutive game.
Three minutes later, Maiara Niewes headed home Evelyn Shores’ pinpoint cross into the box to tie the score.
North Carolina regained the lead in the 79th inning on a well-heavy pass from Riley Jackson to Manaka, who scored his fifth goal of the season.
___
AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup
