Photo courtesy of the NWSL

Friday night in Houston there was a bit of National Women’s Soccer League history: For the first time, a referee awarded four penalty kicks in a game.

Referee Alex Billeter pointed to the spot twice in each half — once for each team in either period — turning a seven-goal thriller into a de facto penalty shootout. The Houston Dash emerged with a 4-3 victory over Racing Louisville FC.

In fact, there had only been one other game in league history with three penalty kicks attempted in August 2014.

“Crazy game — four PKs in one game — I don’t know if I’ve ever experienced that,” Racing head coach Bev Yanez said.

For Racing (0-3-1, 1 point), the loss extends this season-opening winless run through the April international break — Racing won’t be back in action until April 24, at home to the Orlando Pride. It’s a place Yanez and her team are frustrated to be in.

“We are disappointed. We can’t continue to drop points like this, and we’re aware of that,” Yanez said. “We feel disappointed in that … We’re not picking up points from the finest (of) margins.”

Taylor Flint scored...