Cary, NC (October 2, 2020)- The North Carolina Courage will travel to the Houston Dash on Sunday, October 4 at 7 p.m. ET for their first away match of the 2020 NWSL Fall Series. The match will be played at BBVA Compass Stadium and stream live on Twitch.
The Courage started the Fall Series with a thrilling 4-3 win over the Dash on September 12 at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park. Debinha scored two goals during the match, one of which was featured on SportsCenter Top 10 and the other being the game-winner. Lynn Williams and Abby Dahlkemper each scored a goal to bring the total to four goals. The NC Courage played the Orlando Pride one week later in a match that ended in a 0-0 draw. Debinha was once again front and center during the match as she went up against her Brazilian teammate, Marta. Stephanie Labbé secured the clean sheet for the Courage. Through two games, the team is averaging 47% possession and a 75% pass success rate. Midfielders Meredith Speck and Ryan Williams are contributing to the team’s 35 open play crosses coming from the wings. Against Orlando, Addisyn Merrick, Kaleigh Kurtz, and Dahlkemper only allowed Orlando to take six shots, which was a third of the total shots taken by the Courage. With four total points following the win and the draw, the North Carolina Courage are tied for second place in the competition for the Verizon Community Shield. The team is playing to win $25,000 for local non-profit, 321 Coffee.
Players to Watch Presented by Aetna:
North Carolina Courage- #7 Abby Dahlkemper Dahlkemper has captained the Courage throughout the Fall Series as she took on a different position in Paul Riley’s new formation. Dahlkemper will look to control the game and keep Houston away from the net. She may also be called upon if the Courage are awarded a penalty kick at any point in the match. Houston Dash- # 6 Shea Groom Groom has played in nine consecutive games for the Houston Dash in 2020, appearing in all seven of the team’s Challenge Cup matches and both of the Fall Series games thus far. The midfielder assisted two goals against the Courage on September 12 and scored one goal the next game against the Orlando Pride. Dahlkemper and the Courage defense will need to shut down Groom’s chances at goal and watch for her key distribution passes.