CARY, N.C. (Aug. 3, 2019) – The North Carolina Courage won their second match in a row and third straight at home with a 1-0 victory over the Washington Spirit Saturday night at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park.
Even without their four 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup Champions, the team showed dominance throughout the whole game. Abby Dahlkemper, Crystal Dunn, Jessica McDonald and Samantha Mewis were unavailable due to a Victory Tour match against Ireland later Saturday night. NC Courage fans will have a chance to see them play on home turf for the first time since winning the World Cup on August 15 as they take on Manchester City in the Women’s International Champions Cup at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park.
The win moves the Courage (8W-3L-4D, 28 points) into first place in the NWSL standings.
“We had some moments of brilliance today,” said Courage head coach Paul Riley. “We had some great moments at times. Our two fullbacks were excellent in getting in lots of balls today.”
On a day where the Courage dominated the proceedings from start to finish with constant offensive pressure, midfielder Debinha provided the match-winning goal in the 64th minute for head coach Paul Riley’s team.
The Courage outshot Washington 20-6 and it didn’t take long for the chances to come about. In just the second minute, defender Merritt Mathias’ shot from distance forced opposing goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe into a tip save, setting the tone for the afternoon.
Throughout the first half, the Courage consistently found themselves in the final third, and they got a boost in the 24th minute when Washington’s Paige Nielsen was shown a red card for her challenge on Debinha at the edge of the area.
Up a player, the home team continued to force the issue and Debinha was unlucky to see her header hit the right post, as was forward Kristen Hamilton, whose rebound was corraled by Bledsoe.
Nothing separated the two teams after one half, but the Courage methodically wore down the visitors, with the breakthrough finally coming in the 64th minute.
The beneficiary of a well-worked team goal, Debinha volleyed home from close range after second-half substitute Julia Spetsmark headed defender Jaelene Hinkle’s cross-field across the face of goal.
Up a goal, the Courage relied on goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe to protect their one-goal advantage, and the Canadian did exceedingly well when called upon. In the 79th minute, Labbe made two saves in quick succession, first denying Washington’s Ashley Hatch and then Cheyna Matthews.
Washington had one last in chance in the 86th minute, but Labbe once again saved an effort from Matthews, and the Courage saw out the result.
Fact to Know
The Courage improved to 8W-0L-0D all-time against Washington with Saturday’s win.
Notes
– The Courage remained unbeaten at home and are now 4W-0L-4D at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park this season.
– Saturday’s shutout was the Courage’s fifth of the season.
– Debinha’s goal was her fourth in 2019, and she’s the fourth Courage player to reach the four-goal milestone this season.
– Midfielder Meredith Speck made her first appearance of the season as a second-half substitute.
– Forward Julia Spetsmark recorded her first assist of the year.
Looking Ahead
The Courage will travel across the country to face Portland Thorns FC on Sunday, Aug. 11 at 3:00 p.m. ET. The trip to Portland is the Courage’s first since claiming the NWSL Championship with a 3-0 win at Providence Park over Thorns FC last September.
The team returns home for the second-ever Women’s International Champions Cup, which begins on Thursday, Aug. 15, as the team’s four U.S. Women’s National Team World Cup winners (Abby Dahlkemper, Crystal Dunn, Jessica McDonald and Samantha Mewis) play at home for the first time since lifting the trophy in France.
NCC (4-4-2): Stephanie Labbé; Jaelene Hinkle, Abby Erceg ©, Kaleigh Kurtz, Merritt Mathias; Debinha (Heather O’Reilly, 90+2’), Denise O’Sullivan, Cari Roccaro (Meredith Speck, 84’), McCall Zerboni; Leah Pruitt (Julia Spetsmark, 46’), Kristen Hamilton
Subs not used: Katelyn Rowland, McKenzie Meehan, Lauren Milliet, Peyton Perea,
WAS (4-3-3): Aubrey Bledsoe; Tori Huster, Paige Nielsen, Sam Staab, Elise Kellond-Knight; Andi Sullivan ©, Meggie Dougherty-Howard (Bayley Feist, 69’), Jordan DiBiasi; Dorian Bailey, Ashley Hatch (Crystal Thomas, 81’), Chloe Logarzo (Cheyna Matthews, 35’)
Subs not used: Carlin Hudson, Cali Farquharson, Shae Yanez, Amy Harrison,
Score:
NCC: 1
WAS: 0
Goals:
NCC: Debinha (Julia Spetsmark, 64’)
WAS:
Cautions:
NCC: Julia Spetsmark 90+3’
WAS: —
Ejections:
NCC: —
WAS: Paige Nielsen 24’
Attendance: 4,393
