St. John’s soccer: Houston Dash win NWSL Cup, Rachel Daly named MVP

Former St. John’s soccer star Rachel Daly was named as the NWSL Challenge Cup as the Houston Dash won the cup on Sunday.

The NWSL Challenge Cup was the first professional team sporting event to return in the United States in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic and went on without a problem.

On Sunday the tournament concluded and a former Johnnies was left at the top in soccer star Rachel Daly.

More from Storm The Paint

• St. John’s soccer star makes history in thrilling win against Harvard
• St. John’s basketball schedule complete as Big East reveals matchups
• St. John’s basketball adds to recruiting class with 4-star wing Jaiden Glover
• St. John’s basketball: Daniss Jenkins officially cleared to join Johnnies
• St. John’s basketball prepares for busy weekend of official visits

Daly was named MVP of the NWSL Challenge Cup as her Houston Dash defeated the Chicago Red Stars in the Championship Game, 2-0, on Sunday afternoon.

Rachel Daly was also awarded the Golden Boot Award.

The tournament was held in bubble setting as can be seen in the NBA, NHL, and WNBA at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah and the first match was back on June 27.

Daly netted two goals back in the Dash’s first game on June 30 but the highlight goal came in the semifinals where she was able to head in a second half goal that lifted the Dash over the Portland Thorns.

For the tournament Daly scored three total goals and two assists in seven games.

ALSO READ: Trio of former Johnnies make Opening Day rosters

Rachel Daly, the captain for the Houston Dash, also stars for the England national team after her career at St. John’s which lasted from 2012-2015.

Daly scored 50 goals in 60 appearances during her Red Storm career. Twenty-three of those goals came in her second season, a single season school record to already go along with her career goals (50) and points (111) records.

ALSO READ: Keegan Bradley explains how to beat Michael Jordan in golf

The now 28-year old was first player in St. John’s History be named a Second Team NSCAA All-American and was named to the First Team following her junior season.

Following her career in Queens, Rachel Daly was the No. 6 overall pick of the 2016 NWSL College Draft by the Houston Dash.