DC Power FC was able to secure a 1-0 win over Dallas Trinity FC in front of the home fans at Audi Field on Sunday afternoon. A 10th minute goal by Emily Colton was the difference in the match.

“We had talked about it specifically that we had not had a clean sheet all year, and that we need to work on that and make sure that defensively were solid,” head coach Omid Namazi said after the match. “All 3 lines. It’s not just a back line, all 3 lines. They get behind the ball and then they defend with everything they’ve got. Because if you keep a clean sheet, you’re always in the game. You can you can get out with a point or if you score a goal like we did and it was a great goal, you get out with 3 points.”

The match started with Dallas getting an opportunity almost immediately, with Seven Castain hitting the side netting about 45 seconds in. They had the early pressure on DC as the match got underway, getting another chance seconds later that was a weaker effort and was calmly collected by DC goalkeeper Katie Cappelletti

The game eventually settled in as both teams tried to establish the run of play, but it was DC that got the early score. In the 10th minute, with DC trying to get something going, Emma Jaskeniec forced a turnover just across midfield. Gianna Gourley collected the ball and laid it off for Abby Boyan. Boyan fired a shot from long distance that hit the crossbar and fell just outside of the goal after bouncing off Dallas goalkeeper Neeku Purcell. The rebound came out and Emily Colton raced up to fire the ball home to give DC the 1-0 lead.

“I think my 1st thought was to follow the shot, but it was an amazing shot [by Boyan],” Colton said of the goal. “I saw it kind of dropping down and it was on frame perfectly, and I saw the keeper kind of dive to make a save, and it bounced perfectly. No one was following me, and I just tapped it in. So, just followed it up.”

From there, the first half was a struggle with both teams trying to get some momentum. DC Power had a couple of chances that were blocked, while they did a good job on defense keeping Dallas out of the box and without real opportunities to score. At halftime, the teams had just four combined shots, with DC having the lone shot on target. DC Power carried the 1-0 lead into halftime.

The second half began with DC Power hoping to extend their lead, and Dallas was able to get a few more scoring chances. However, Katie Cappelletti was able to rise to the occasion. After a first half where she didn’t see much action, the DC goalkeeper stopped four shots in the second half.

“That’s not a me shutout. That’s a team shutout,” Cappelletti remarked. “I think that that just is a testament to how much growth we’ve had in terms of the chemistry that we’re building in the back line and throughout.”

DC Power had another chance in the 67th minute off a cross into the box on the run from Sam Angel. A Dallas defender tried to hit a glancing header to get the ball out of play. Instead, the ball arced toward goal and hit the crossbar just over the outstretched hand of Neeku Purcell. The ball somehow stayed out of the net and play continued.

Dallas had a couple of last ditch efforts down the stretch, but DC was able to corral them all, holding on for their second straight win at home.

“We haven’t, in my opinion, really hit our stride because it’s such a condensed schedule and short season,” Namazi said of the road ahead of them. “But I feel like we can get through this because of the depth in the squad and get players in and get some players, some rest at the right time and make sure that we can carry through and hopefully get into the playoffs and make some noise.”

With the win, DC created some separation in the standings, moving three points ahead of Dallas Trinity and becoming level on points with Lexington SC. The club is back on the road next Sunday as they travel to Florida to take on the Tampa Bay Sun.