CARY, N.C. (August 2, 2023) – The North Carolina Courage U23 team landed three players on the USL W League Team of the Year, as announced by the league on Wednesday. Defender Laurel Ansbrow and midfielder Mia Oliaro garner first team honors while midfielder Lauren Martinho claims second team accolades.

The Courage and SF Glens SC are the only two teams out of 65 across the league with multiple players on the first team. The Courage also match Indy Eleven as the only clubs with three total players across the two teams. All three Courage players on the Team of the Year are products of the NC Courage Academy and either currently play or are committed to ACC programs. Oliaro adds to her award-winning season, being named the USL W League Young Player of the Year and South Atlantic Division Player of the Year already for her stellar 2023 campaign. The incoming freshman at North Carolina scored five goals and dished six assists – including on the equalizer in the USL W League Final – on the season for the Courage. Ansbrow was a mainstay at center back for the Courage defense that allowed just 10 goals in 16 matches, pitching eight clean sheets. The Apex High School alum and current member of the Wake Forest women’s soccer team was a leader on and off the field for the youthful Courage, wearing the captain’s band in several key matches, including during the post-season run to the Final. Ansbrow led all Demon Deacons’ outfield players in minutes as a sophomore in 2022 and will be a focal point of the defense heading into the 2023 collegiate season. Martinho joined the Courage late after helping the U.S. Youth National Team to the Concacaf Women’s U-20 Championship Final. Her shining moment came in the USL W League Final, scoring a brilliant header to level the match and force extra time against Indy Eleven. Overall, she scored four goals and dished three assists in just seven matches played for the Courage. Her ability to win possession high up the field, take on defenders, and create opportunities both for herself and others were on full display despite being in the high school class of 2024. Martinho is committed to Duke University. The Courage completed the 2023 USL W season with a record of 14-1-1, reaching the league final despite fielding one of the youngest rosters in the league. The second-year program claimed the club’s first division and conference championship in a historic season that culminated in a national runner-up finish.