Trinity Byars Scores Late Equalizer as San Diego Wave FC Earns Road Draw Against Houston Dash

Trinity Byars delivered a dramatic stoppage-time equalizer to help San Diego Wave FC secure a 2-2 draw against the Houston Dash on Wednesday night at Shell Energy Stadium. The late finish marked Byars’ second goal in as many matches and extended San Diego’s unbeaten run to three games.

San Diego struck first in the opening half behind another standout moment from Dudinha, who continued her strong season with a brilliant long-range effort in the 20th minute. After receiving a pass from Lia Godfrey, Dudinha quickly created space and curled a shot past goalkeeper Jane Campbell to give the Wave an early advantage.

Houston responded after halftime with two second-half goals to briefly take control of the match, putting pressure on a San Diego squad coming off a statement victory over the Washington Spirit just days earlier. In that win, the Wave earned a late 2-1 result thanks to a game-winning header from Kimmi Ascanio off a cross from Kenza Dali.

Head coach Jonas Eidevall rotated parts of the lineup for the midweek match, giving 18-year-old Melanie Barcenas her first start of the season while Ludmila returned to the starting XI. San Diego entered the contest atop the NWSL standings and riding momentum from consecutive wins.

The Wave and Dash previously met in the season opener back in March, a match Houston won despite San Diego controlling much of the possession and chances. Since then, the Wave attack has significantly improved, emerging as one of the league’s highest-scoring offenses through the opening stretch of the season.

Even after surrendering the lead late, San Diego showed resilience once again. Deep into stoppage time, Byars found the equalizer to rescue a point on the road and continue her impressive emergence following her return from the ACL injury she suffered during her college career at Texas.