MATCH RECAP: Courage Wrap Road Trip with Draw Against Gotham
Harrison, NJ (April 3, 2022) — The North Carolina Courage drew with NJ/NY Gotham FC, 1-1, to round out their two-game road trip and the third match in eight days. Debinha scored her second goal of the tournament for the Courage, while Ifeoma Onumonu netted the equalizer for the New Jersey-based side. With this result, the Courage remain undefeated through 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup group play and own the top spot in the East Division standings with eight points.
“I think as a whole we are really pleased with the performance,” Katelyn Rowland said following the match. “I thought it was pretty dominating. Coming off a long road trip, obviously we are not focused on the points, we are focused on the progress we are making and we see a lot of growth already, so we are really pleased. We have an international break coming up, so it’s a good opportunity for us to rest, recharge and then we are back at it.” For the second match in a row, Debinha opened the scoring for North Carolina, this time getting things started on a set piece. In the 24th minute, Gotham’s Paige Monaghan was booked for a foul just outside the 18. One minute later, Debinha stepped up to take the free kick and converted with an easy right-footed shot past Michelle Betos’ hands and into the bottom left corner. But Debinha wasn’t the only Brazilian on the pitch today. Kerolin Nicoli made her NWSL and Courage debut this afternoon, subbing in for Jaelene Daniels in the 66th minute. On her very first touch of the match, Kerolin Nicoli created a stellar chance, sending a nifty ball back to Debinha, who sent it just wide of the Gotham goal. “She’s brilliant on the ball and she’s so dynamic,” head coach Sean Nahas said about Kerolin following the match. “She has an incredible ability to take on opponents and find the dangerous pockets. I thought it was important to get her on the field and get a taste of everything before she goes back to camp for the international break. She’s only going to continue to get more comfortable in our training environment, so I am really happy with her, obviously she’s only going to get better.”
Match Notes:
- Debinha scored her second goal in as many games Sunday
- The Courage out shot Gotham 19-9, with seven shots on frame compared to Gotham’s one
- Meredith Speck and Rylee Baisden made their first starts of the season for the Courage
- Kerolin Nicoli made her NWSL and Courage debut in Sunday’s match
- Malia Berkely received her second yellow card of the tournament, and will therefore sit out of the next Courage NWSL Challenge Cup match on April 16 against Orlando Pride.
Box Score:
NC (4-4-2): Katelyn Rowland, Kaleigh Kurtz, Abby Erceg ©, Merritt Mathias, Meredith Speck (Ryan Williams — 83’), Denise O’Sullivan, Carson Pickett, Debinha, Brianna Pinto (Malia Berkely — 66’, Katie Bowen — 83’), Rylee Baisden (Taylor Smith — 51’), Jaelene Daniels (Kerolin Nicoli — 66’)
Subs Not Used: Marisa Bova, Emily Gray, Kiki Pickett, Diana Ordoñez
NJNY (4-3-3): Michelle Betos, Imani Dorsey (Ellie Jean — 65’), Estelle Johnson, Gina Lewandowski (Mandy Freeman — 85’), Caprice Dydasco (Cameron Tucker — 85’), Paige Monaghan, Ifeoma Onumonu, Margaret Purce, Domi Richardson (Nahomi Kawasumi — 59’), Taryn Torres (Jennifer Cudjoe — 58’), Kristie Mewis
Subs Not Used: Nicole Baxter, Ashlyn Harris, Kelly Ann Livingstone, Kumi Yokohama
Score:
NC: 1 NJNY: 1
Goals:
NC: Debinha — 25’ NJNY: Ifeoma Onumonu (Kristie Mewis) — 84’
Cautions:
NC: Malia Berkely — 76’ NJNY: Paige Monaghan — 24’, Domi Richardson — 51’, Jennifer Cudjoe — 80’
Ejections:
NC: — NJNY: –
