MATCHDAY INFO:
HOUSTON DASH VS. NORTH CAROLINA COURAGE
H-E-B PARK
KICKOFF: WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 27- 8 PM ET
BROADCAST: go90 APP, go90.COM, NWSLSOCCER.COM
LIVE UPDATES: @THENCCOURAGE #HOUvNC
Match Preview:
The North Carolina Courage (15W-1D-6L, 46 pts, 1st place) travels to Edinburg, Texas to face the Houston Dash (7W-2D-13L, 23 pts, 8th place) for the team’s final road test in the 2017 regular season. The game was originally scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 27 in Houston, but the match was postponed due to Hurricane Harvey.
The Courage is rounding out its two-game road trip which took the team from Sky Blue FC on Sunday before the Houston Dash on Wednesday. The team earned its first draw of the season with a final score of 1-1 in New Jersey. Ashley Hatch netted her sixth goal of the year off an assist from Kristen Hamilton in the first half, but Sky Blue was able to respond to the Courage’s early goal.
The Dash is coming off an unfortunate 3-2 loss to the Chicago Red Stars on Sunday, Sept. 24. Houston couldn’t overcome the 3-1 halftime deficit despite a late tally from Rachel Daly in the 85th minute.
In its last meeting against the Dash, the NC Courage snuck away with a 1-0 win at home after a goal from Kristen Hamilton put the home team up early on Saturday, Sept. 9.
Players to Watch:
#9 Lynn Williams
Williams is currently tied with Hatch for most goals scored on the NC Courage this season with six. The USWNT striker took 11 shots on goal against Sky Blue FC last Sunday, bringing her total to 70 shots in 2017, which is third highest in the league. While she hasn’t scored in the last two Courage matches, Williams has been creating important opportunities and it is only a matter of time before she nets another tally.
#3 Rachel Daly
The English International has played in and started 21 games this season, bringing her to a total 1843 minutes played. She has four goals, with her most recent coming in the Dash’s game on Sunday, Sept. 24 which was nominated for Goal of the Week for Week 21. She’s also provided two assists this season for Houston.
Coming Up Next:
After Wednesday’s match, the Courage will return home to host the Orlando Pride in the final regular season match of the season at 7:30 pm ET on Saturday, Sept. 30. The team will start post-season play the following week with a home semi-final playoff match on Sunday, Oct. 8 at 3:30 pm ET. An opponent for that match is to be determined. Tickets can be purchased at NCFCTix.com or by calling our box office at 919-459-9144.
