Soccer Tejas
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HOUSTON (Sept. 10, 2026) – The Houston Dash and midfielder Sarah Puntigam agreed to a new contract through the 2027 NWSL season, the club announced today.
“Sarah has been an important part of our club since she arrived in Houston, and her leadership and experience continue to have a meaningful impact on our team,” said Angela Hucles Mangano, President of Women’s Soccer. “Sarah brings composure and the ability to read and manage different moments of a match, while her approach and preparation set a clear standard for those around her. We’re thrilled to have Sarah continue with the Dash and look forward to the impact she will continue to make with our group.”
Puntigam has appeared in 66 matches for the Dash across all competitions since joining the club midway through the 2023 season following a transfer from FC Köln in Germany. The Austrian Women’s National Team captain made her Dash and NWSL debut in a 1-0 victory over Racing Louisville FC in the NWSL Challenge Cup on July 29, 2023, before making her regular-season debut against the Washington Spirit on Aug. 19, 2023.
The Austria international recorded her first NWSL goal earlier this season in dramatic fashion, converting a penalty kick in second-half stoppage time to give Houston a 4-3 victory over Racing Louisville FC on April 3 at Shell Energy Stadium. Puntigam also reached 50 NWSL appearances on May 1 against Seattle Reign FC.
“I’m very happy to continue my time with the Houston Dash and grateful for the opportunity to keep building with this club,” Puntigam said. “Houston has become a special place for me and my family, and we’re grateful to call this community home. I’m looking forward to continuing to contribute to this team, building on what we’ve started and seeing what we can accomplish together in the seasons ahead.”
Puntigam has also been a key figure for the Austria Women’s National Team for more than 15 years, serving as captain of the national team for most of her tenure on the international stage. She made her senior international debut at 16 years old on March 4, 2009, and has gone on to become the most-capped player in Austrian national team history. Puntigam helped Austria reach the semifinals of the 2017 UEFA Women’s European Championship and also represented her country at EURO 2022. Puntigam recorded her 100th international appearance in 2020 and has remained a key veteran presence for the national team throughout her career.
The midfielder began her professional career with Bayern Munich before spending time with SC Kriens in Switzerland and SC Freiburg in Germany. She joined Montpellier in 2018, becoming the first Austrian player in club history, before returning to Germany with FC Köln in 2022.
