CHICAGO (May 27, 2017) – Playing its third game in seven days, The North Carolina Courage fell 3-2 to the Chicago Red Stars on Saturday afternoon at Toyota Park. Despite falling behind by two goals in the second half, the Courage nearly completed the comeback, but Chicago’s defense held firm down the stretch to clinch all three points.

Abby Erceg scored her first goal of the season off a corner kick from Sam Mewis and Debinha curled a brilliant free kick into the net to provide the scoring for the visitors.

Chicago struck first with a goal in the 27th minute from Danielle Colaprico. The midfielder got free in the box and sent her shot past Sabrina D’Angelo to take a 1-0 lead.

Despite conceding, the Courage pushed forward and found its response in the final minute of stoppage time in the first half. Erceg directed in a well-placed header from Mewis’ corner kick to level the match.

The Red Stars responded well after the break and scored twice in a five-minute period to take a 3-1 lead. Alyssa Mautz headed in a goal in the 54th minute and Vanessa Di Bernardo scored off a well-placed shot in the 59th minute to take control.

Trailing by two goals, the Courage continued to press numbers forward and nearly found its answer in the 74th minute, but Jessica McDonald’s header was cleared off the line.

The comeback attempt was re-energized with a goal from Debinha in 82nd minute. The Brazilian bent a perfectly-placed free kick over and around the wall into the top corner of the net to come within a goal.

However, the Red Stars pushed away several late chances to hold on for the victory.

Coming Up Next:
The team returns home on Saturday, June 3 to host FC Kansas City at 3:30 p.m. at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park for the first time this season. Fans can purchase their tickets at NCFCTix.com or by calling our box office at 919-459-8144.

Notes:

• Head Coach Paul Riley fielded his eighth lineup in as many games

• Abby Erceg tallied her first goal of 2017

• Sam Mewis recorded her first assist of the season

• Debinha scored her third goal of the season and is now tied for team goals scored with Lynn Williams

Box Score

Lineups
CHI: Alyssa Naeher; Arin Gilliand (Taylor Comeau, 46’), Katie Naughton, Samantha Johnson, Casey Short, Julie Ertz; Danielle Colaprico, Alyssa Mautz (Jen Hoy, 82’), Vanessa Di Bernardo (Morgan Proffitt, 87’), Sofia Huerta; Christen Press

Subs not used: Stephanie McCaffrey, Summer Green, Michele Dalton, Lauren Kaskie

NCC: Sabrina D’Angelo; Jaelene Hinkle, Abby Erceg, Abby Dahlkemper, Sam Witteman (Jessica McDonald, 46’); McCall Zerboni, Yuri Kawamura (Debinha, 32’); Makenzy Doniak (Kristen Hamilton, 72’), Sam Mewis, Taylor Smith; Lynn Williams

Subs not used: Katelyn Rowland, Rosana,

Score:
CHI: 3
NCC: 2

Goals:
CHI: Danielle Colaprico (Vanessa Di Bernardo, 27’), Alyssa Mautz (Christen Press, 54’), Vanessa Di Bernardo (unassisted, 59’)
NCC: Abby Erceg (Sam Mewis, 45+’), Debinha (unassisted, 82’)

Cautions:
CHI: Danielle Colaprico 39’
NCC: —

Ejections:
CHI: —
NCC: —

Attendance: 2,618