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NC Courage Defeat Orlando Pride 4-0 in Third Preseason Win of the Week

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CARY, N.C. (March 23, 2019)-The North Carolina Courage kicked off the Friendship Cup against the Orlando Pride today with a 4-0 win. The win marked the third victory of the week for the Courage and kept the side undefeated this preseason. The win was a team effort with goals from Meredith Speck, Jessica McDonald, Lynn Williams, and Julia Spetsmark.

The first chance of the game came in the 29th minute on a counter attack led by Speck. She found the ball at her feet after an Orlando corner kick and played a long ball ahead. McDonald barely beat Orlando goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris to the ball, but Harris deflected the ball just enough to send it off its path.

Speck made an impact just minutes later in the 35th minute when she netted a ball that was bouncing in the box after a failed clearance. Speck’s goal was a first half turning point as the Courage pressured in front of Orlando’s goal for the rest of the half.

McDonald doubled the lead in the 61st minute off an assist from Williams. Harris left her line to chase a loose ball in the box, but after misjudging her jump, Williams slipped the ball past Harris to McDonald who easily fired the ball into the open net.

Minutes later, Williams scored to make it 3-0, finishing off an assist from Leah Pruitt. Williams received the ball from Pruitt on the edge of the six-yard box. Despite an oncoming defender flying in for a challenge, Williams slotted the ball past Harris for another goal.

In the closing stages of the match, Spetsmark scored the fourth goal, finishing off a through ball from Elizabeth Eddy to put an exclamation point on the emphatic preseason win.

Up Next: The North Carolina Courage have two more preseason games at WakeMed Soccer Park on March 30 versus South Carolina and April 6 against Virginia. They will play the Chicago Red Stars in the regular season home opener on April 13 at 7:00 p.m.

Box Score:

NCC (4-4-2 Box): Stephanie Labbé (Katelyn Rowland, 46’); Meredith Speck (Hailey Harbison, 46’), Abby Erceg (Kaleigh Kurtz,, 76’), Abby Dahlkemper (Ally Haran, 76’), Merritt Mathias (Shannon Horgan, 76’); Kristen Hamilton (McCall Zerboni, 46’), Denise O’Sullivan (Lauren Milliet, 76’), Samantha Mewis (Cari Roccaro, 62’), Crystal Dunn (Liz Eddy, 62’); Lynn Williams (Julia Spetsmark, 76’), Jessica McDonald (Leah Pruitt, 62’)

Subs not used: Ryan Williams, Heather O’Reilly, Peyton Perea, Julie King, Adelaide Gay

ORL (4-3-3): Ashlyn Harris (Lainey Burdett, 77’), Ali Krieger (Abby Elinsky,81’); Tony Pressley, Shelina Zadorsky (Erin Greening,74’), Carson Pickett (Dani Weatherholt, 46’); Alanna Kennedy (Joanna Boyles,, 81’), Emily Van England (Bridget Callahan, 74’, Marta (Marisa Viggiano, 74’); Chioma Ubogagu (Camila, 81’), Alex Morgan (Danica Evans, 81’), Rachel Hill (Caitlin Farrell, 74’)

Score:

NCC: 4

ORL: 0

Goals:

NCC: Meredith Speck (Unassisted, 35’), Jessica McDonald (Lynn Williams, 61’), Lynn Williams (Leah Pruitt, 69’), Julia Spetsmark (Liz Eddy, 89’)

ORL:–

Cautions:

NCC: — 

ORL: Alex Morgan, 45+’

Ejections:

NCC: — 

ORL: —

Attendance: 4,220

Game Statistics

Shots:

NC: 12

ORL:3

 

Shots on Goal:

NC:10

ORL:3

 

Saves:

NC:2

ORL:5

 

Corners:

NC:8

ORL: 8

HISTORY! NC Courage Claim NWSL Championship with 3-0 Win Over Portland

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Click here to view NWSL Championship highlights

 

PORTLAND, Ore. (Sept. 22, 2018) –The top-seeded NC Courage capped off a historic season on Saturday night with a 3-0 victory over second-seeded Portland Thorns FC to win the NWSL Championship. With the victory, the Courage cements its status as the best professional women’s soccer team in the United States – and possibly the world. 
 
In 2018, the Courage claimed a historic treble, winning the Women’s International Champions Cup, the NWSL Shield and the NWSL Championship, breaking multiple records along the way in the most dominant and most successful U.S. women’s professional soccer season to date.
 
In a match filled with intensity from the opening kick, it didn’t take long for the sides to begin creating chances.
 
In the 13th minute, the Courage broke the deadlock with an early goal. Lynn Williams found space down the flank and whipped a shot past Portland goalkeeper Adrianna Franch. The ball rebounded off the crossbar and fell into the path of a wide-open Debinha, who headed the ball into the open net.
 
The teams traded opportunities for the rest of the half, and just before the halftime whistle, the NC Courage made Portland pay for another defensive lapse. 
 
Jaelene Hinkle sent a cross past the Portland backline and Jessica McDonald ran unmarked to the ball and headed in the goal by a stranded Franch.
 
Out of the halftime break, Portland produced a flurry of chances, but the Courage defense held strong before clinching the match with another clinical finish. 
 
In the 64th minute, off a corner kick, Abby Dahlkemper played a short pass to Sam Mewis who fed Merritt Mathias at the top corner of the 18-yard box. The defender then played a cross through the middle of the box that found McDonald. The forward tucked home her second goal of the night with a well-placed header to ice the game.
 
With a 3-0 lead intact, the Courage defense buckled down and turned away Portland for the final 26 minutes to earn the team’s 13th shutout of the season and complete the playoff run with zero goals allowed.
 
Notes:
The NC Courage have won three trophies this season – the Women’s ICC title, the NWSL Shield and the NWSL Championship.
 
The 3-0 win was the largest margin of victory in an NWSL Championship game ever.
 
The NC Courage avenged last season’s NWSL Championship loss to the Portland Thorns. In total, the Courage went 4-0-0 against Portland in 2018, outing scoring the side 10-2 over the 2018 series.
 
The game was played at a sold-out Providence Park with a crowd of 21,144.
 
Portland was shutout at home for the first time since May 29, 2016.
 
Box Score:
 
NCC (4-4-2): Katelyn Rowland; Jaelene Hinkle, Abby Erceg ©, Abby Dahlkemper, Merritt MathiasDebinha (Kristen Hamilton, 78’), Denise O’Sullivan, Samantha Mewis, Crystal Dunn (Heather O’Reilly, 
87’); Lynn Williams, Jessica McDonald (Darian Jenkins, 90+’)

Subs not used: Sabrina D’Angelo, Meredith Speck, Cari Roccaro, Kaleigh Kurtz
 
POR (4-3-3): Adrianna Franch; Meghan Klingenberg, Emily Menges, Emily Sonnett, Ellie Carpenter (Midge Purce, 90+’); Lindsey Horan, Christine Sinclair ©, Celeste Boureille; Tobin Heath, Ana Crnogorcevic (Andressinha, 68’), Caitlin Foord

Subs not used: Elizabeth Ball, Britt Eckerstrom, Mallory Weber, Tyler Lussi, Ifeoma Onumonu

Score:
NCC: 3
POR:  0
 
Goals:
NCC: Debinha (unassisted, 13’), Jessica McDonald (Jaelene Hinkle, 40’, Merritt Mathias, 64’)
POR: —

Cautions:
NCC: Denise O’Sullivan 42’, Jessica McDonald 65’
POR: —

Ejections:
NCC: —
POR: —
 
Attendance: 21,144

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NC Courage break multiple NWSL records in 5-0 win over Houston Dash

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CARY, N.C. (September 8, 2018) – The North Carolina Courage ended the NWSL regular season in style, breaking multiple records in its 5-0 win over the Houston Dash in the second game of Saturday’s historic doubleheader at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park. 
 
With the victory and club record five goals, the Courage (17W-1L-6D, 57 points) set the NWSL records for wins (17), regular-season points (57) and regular-season goals (53).

Fittingly, it was Lynn Williams, the Courage’s top goal-scorer in 2018, who’s 13th goal of the season in the 43rd minute gave North Carolina the league’s scoring record, as the Courage moved beyond Seattle Reign FC’s 2014 squad mark of 50 goals, the previous high. The same Seattle team also previously held the league records for regular-season wins (16) and points (54). 
 
In addition to the on-field records, the Courage also set a club record for attendance. Over 9,505 spectators turned out for Saturday’s doubleheader, which began with a 3-3 draw between North Carolina FC and Nashville SC. 
 
The postseason now awaits the most successful regular-season team in NWSL history. 

“I thought it was a really professional performance,” Courage head coach Paul Riley said. “Difficult game for us. But the players again, the players that have come back – that have been away – have been professional in their approach the last 48 hours. Hats off to them. They set a big mark, I think, for the league in the future in a lot of different ways. I just said to them it’s not an easy thing to do, to do what they’ve done this season.”

In the ninth minute, Houston looked poised to take an early lead, as Sofia Huerta found herself in on goal until Courage center back Abby Erceg intervened with a crucial tackle. 

Four minutes later, it was Erceg who assisted on the game’s opening a goal, a 13th minute score from forward Jessica McDonald. 
 
After taking on a defender one-on-one, McDonald approached Houston goalkeeper Jane Campbell and deftly slotted her shot past her from a tight angle with her right foot.
 
The Courage continued to be unrelenting in the attacking third, doubling the advantage in the 26th minute, as midfielder Crystal Dunn made sure her team wouldn’t be denied by the woodwork. After Williams saw her curling effort bounce off the right post, Dunn gathered the rebound but hit the left post herself. 
 
With the third time being the charm, Dunn tracked down another rebound before roofing her shot into the net for her eighth goal of the season. 
 
With halftime approaching, Williams redeemed her early miss and put the Courage ahead 3-0 in the 43rd minute. Played in by a through ball from McDonald, Williams provided the record-breaking goal for North Carolina. 
 
In the 57th minute, the McDonald-to-Williams connection struck again, with Williams flicking McDonald’s service past Houston’s Campbell. 

In the 66th minute, forward Kristen Hamilton came on as a substitute, and it didn’t take long for her to make an impact. Four minutes after entering the game, Hamilton scored her third goal of the season in the 70th minute, a rocket of a shot from a tight angle on the right side of the 18-yard box. 

From there, North Carolina saw out the result and closed the books on a successful regular season. 

Up Next:
The Courage host the Chicago Red Stars in the semifinals of the NWSL Playoffs for the second time in as many years on Sunday, Sept. 16 at 3 p.m. ET. The Courage went 1W-0L-2D in the regular season against the Red Stars. 

North Carolina defeated Chicago 1-0 in October behind a late game-winner from midfielder Denise O’Sullivan to secure its spot in the 2017 NWSL Championship. 

Game Changer:
McDonald’s early goal set the tone for a dominant performance by the Courage. 
 
Key Stat:
North Carolina’s five goals were a club-record. 

They Said It:
“That shows you how phenomenal of a team we have – how amazing our culture is at the end of the day, how hard we’re willing to work for each other. All the hard work we’ve truly put into this season, we’ve deserved it..” – Courage forward Jessica McDonald on the Courage breaking numerous NWSL records. 

Notes:
– With her two assists, Courage forward Jessica McDonald finished as the league assist-leader with eight on the season. 
 
– Courage forward Lynn Williams’ two goals Saturday night gave her 14 on the season, the second most in the NWSL. Only Sam Kerr of the Chicago Red Stars (16) scored more. 
 
– The Courage are the only team in the NWSL to have three players with at least eight goals. Lynn Williams had 14 goals, while Debinha and Crystal Dunn scored eight. 
 
– Forward Kristen Hamilton and midfielders Meredith Speck and Heather O’Reilly appeared as second-half substitute. Hamilton’s 70th-minute tally was her fourth of the season. 
 
– Courage goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland made four saves to earn the shutout. 
 
– North Carolina recorded 11 clean sheets during the regular season. 
 
– The Courage finished their home regular season with a 9W-1L-2D record at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park.
 
Box Score:
NCC (4-4-2): Katelyn Rowland; Jaelene Hinkle, Abby Erceg ©, Abby Dahlkemper, Merritt Mathias; Debinha, Denise O’Sullivan (Kristen Hamilton, 67’), Samantha Mewis, Crystal Dunn (Meredith Speck, 78‘); Lynn Williams (Heather O’Reilly, 67’), Jessica McDonald

Subs not used: Sabrina D’Angelo, Cari Roccaro, Kaleigh Kurtz, Darian Jenkins
 
HOU (4-3-3): Jane Campbell; Taylor Comeau, Amber Brooks, Janine Van Wyk (Kyah Simon, 87’), Lindsay Agnew (Kimberly Keever, 66’); Linda Motihalo, Sofia Huerta, Haley Hanson; Kealia Ohai ©, Rachel Daly, Veronica Latsko (Nichelle Prince, 66’)

Subs not used: Sammy Jo Prudhomme, Thembi Kgatlana, Savannah Jordan

Score:
NCC: 5
 HOU: 0

Goals:
NCC: Jessica McDonald (Abby Erceg, 13’), Crystal Dunn (Unassisted, 26’), Lynn Williams (Jessica McDonald, 44’), Lynn Williams (Jessica McDonald, 57’), Kristen Hamilton (Unassisted, 70’)
HOU: —

Cautions:
NCC: —
HOU: —

Ejections:
NCC: —
HOU: —
 
Attendance: 9,505

 

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NC Courage Shutout Orlando 3-0 for Record-Setting Victory

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CARY, N.C. (August 19, 2018) – In a match that started Saturday night, was suspended because of dangerous weather, and eventually resumed Sunday morning, the North Carolina Courage defeated the Orlando Pride 3-0 at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park. The Courage hosted a regular-season team record of 7,606 fans.

Forward Lynn Williams’ one-goal, one-assist performance powered North Carolina, which in a test of its ability to adjust to unusual circumstances improved to 16W-1L-5D (53 points), tying the U.S. professional women’s soccer record for regular-season victories for a second straight season. 

Two regular-season games remain for the Courage, who are are two points away from setting the NWSL regular-season points record (55) and four goals away from becoming the highest-scoring team in league history. 

Following the conclusion of the match, the Courage were honored for winning the NWSL Shield by the league’s managing director, Amanda Duffy, who visited Cary for a second consecutive season to recognize the league’s best regular-season team. 

“I thought we controlled the game as soon as the whistle went this morning, the 70 minutes we had control of the game,” Courage coach Paul Riley said. “I just hoped we were going to get a goal. We missed quite a few chances. I think we limited them to really (just) set pieces, where they looked dangerous. So yeah, very pleased.”

With the score at 0-0 in the 22nd minute, the match was suspended Saturday night because of unsafe weather conditions. 

Just over 13 hours later, the two teams picked up where they left off. The Courage’s best scoring chance of the first half came in the 44th minute. With open space in transition, Williams released a powerful shot from beyond the 18-yard box that continued to rise as it approached Ashlyn Harris, forcing the Orlando goalkeeper into a save. 

Soon after, halftime arrived with nothing separating North Carolina and Orlando. 

In the 55th minute, the Courage appeared to take the lead when midfielder Debinha finished from just beyond the mouth of the goal, but the goal was disallowed, as forward Jessica McDonald was ruled offsides in the build-up. 

Williams, out of nothing, once again caused problems for Orlando’s defense in the 60th minute, as she let loose on a strike that an outreached Harris could not reach. Unfortunately for Williams, her shot rose just above the crossbar. 

Not long after, Courage midfielder Samantha Mewis’ header in the 70th minute off a Debinha free kick rolled just wide off the left post after Orlando’s Harris got a piece of it. 

Eventually, North Carolina’s persistence paid off and was rewarded in the 75th minute on an own goal by Orlando defender Shelina Zadorsky. Despite not earning the goal herself, the score was made possible by Williams, who drove to the endline on the right flank before playing in a dangerous cross that deflected off both Zadorsky and Harris before finding the back of the net. 

Known for its propensity for scoring multiple goals in quick succession, North Carolina doubled its advantage just six minutes later, in the 81st minute, when Debinha roofed her shot from the left side of the box, after Williams won possession away from Orlando’s Ali Krieger on the endline. 

At last, Williams got on the scoresheet herself in the 88th minute, as she headed home a cross from right back Merritt Mathias for her 11th goal of the season. 
 
Up Next:
Riley’s team now turns its attention to its final road match of the regular season. North Carolina travels to the Pacific Northwest to take on Seattle Reign FC on Saturday, Aug. 25 at 4 p.m. ET. With a win, the Courage would complete a three-game, regular-season sweep of Seattle.

A goal from McDonald powered the Courage to a 1-0 home win against Seattle in April, and Crystal Dunn’s brace lifted North Carolina to a 4-1 victory in Seattle in June. 

Game Changer:
Williams’ hard work led to the Courage’s first goal, but her determination on Debinha’s score was especially commendable. Krieger attempted to box out Williams, desperate to let the ball cross the endline for an Orlando goal kick. Somehow, Williams contorted her body around Krieger and poked the ball to Debinha, who rewarded Williams for her hard work with a goal, one that made Orlando’s comeback attempt much more difficult.

Key Stat:
The Courage have scored multiple goals within a 10-minute span in eight different matches in 2018.

They Said It:
“They started to have to open up the game, and I think when you give us a little bit of space and we got one goal, our momentum starts to go and go and go. I think it’s hard to stop us.” – Lynn Williams on the Courage’s propensity for scoring multiple goals in quick succession.

Notes:
– With the win, North Carolina for a second consecutive season tied the U.S. professional women’s soccer record for most regular-season wins (16). The Courage can set a new record with a victory in its next match against Seattle Reign FC on Saturday, Aug. 25, or against the Houston Dash in the regular-season finale on Sept. 8.

– North Carolina, which has 53 points this season, is two away from setting the NWSL regular-season points record (55). The current record (54 points) was set by Seattle Reign FC in 2014.

– After scoring three goals against Orlando, the Courage have 47 on the season and are four goals away from setting the NWSL regular-season record. The current record (50 goals) was set by Seattle Reign FC in 2014.

– The Courage went 3W-0L-0D against Orlando during the regular season. The Courage have earned regular-season series sweeps against four opponents (Orlando, Portland Thorns FC, Washington Spirit and Sky Blue FC).

– Lynn Williams scored her 11th goal of the season on Sunday, moving her into a tie with Lindsey Horan of Portland Thorns FC for the second-most in the league.

– Debinha scored her eighth goal of the season on Sunday, and is now tied for the fifth-most goals in the NWSL.

– Goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland recorded her sixth clean sheet of the season. As a team, the Courage have recorded 10 shutouts in 2018.

– Midfielders Denise O’Sullivan (66’) and Heather O’Reilly (91’) and forward Kristen Hamilton (82’) appeared as second-half substitutes.
 
Box Score:
NCC (4-4-2): Katelyn Rowland; Jaelene Hinkle, Abby Erceg ©, Abby Dahlkemper, Merritt Mathias; Debinha (Heather O’Reilly, 90’+), McCall Zerboni, Samantha Mewis, Crystal Dunn (Kristen Hamilton, 82’); Lynn Williams, Jessica McDonald (Denise O’Sullivan, 66’)

Subs not used: Sabrina D’Angelo, Kaleigh Kurtz, Meredith Speck, Darian Jenkins
 
ORL (4-3-3): Ashlyn Harris ©; Kristen Edmonds, Shalina Zadorsky, Alanna Kennedy, Ali Krieger; Emily Van Egmond, Dani Weatherholt, Rachel Hill (Chioma Ubogagu, 77’); Camila (Sydney Leroux, 60’) (Christine Nairn, 89’), Alex Morgan, Marta 

Subs not used: Haley Kopmeyer, Toni Pressley, Monica Hickmann Alves, Carson Pickett
 
Score:
NCC: 3
ORL: 0

Goals:
NCC: Shelina Zadorsky (OG, 75’), Debinha (Lynn Williams, 81’), Lynn Williams (Merritt Mathias, 88’)
ORL: —

Cautions:
NCC: Merritt Mathias 37’
ORL: Emily Van Egmond 28’
 
Ejections:
NCC: —
ORL: —
 
Attendance: 7,606 

 

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NC Courage Battle Chicago to 1-1 Draw

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BRIDGEVIEW, ILL. (August 5, 2018) – Having already clinched their second consecutive NWSL Shield, the North Carolina Courage continued their unbeaten run to eight matches with a 1-1 draw against the Chicago Red Stars Friday night at Toyota Park. 
 
With the result, the Courage (15W-1L-5D, 50 points) need just five more points in their three remaining regular-season matches to set the NWSL record for points in a season, and are one victory away from tying the league record for regular-season wins for the second year in a row. 
 
The Red Stars threatened to take an early lead on Friday night, but Katelyn Rowland managed to deflect a goal-bound ball from Chicago’s Danielle Colaprico, who nearly scored directly from a corner kick. 
 
Four minutes later, Courage midfielder Debinha returned the favor, nearly scoring via a corner kick, but Rowland’s counterpart, Alyssa Naeher, leaped to deny the Brazilian what would have been an improbable goal. 
 
In the 21st minute, however, Debinha would not be denied. The beneficiary of a lofted, on-target cross from forward Jessica McDonald out on the right flank, the Brazilian came crashing in and headed home her seventh goal of 2018, as her effort bounced off the grass once before hitting the roof of the net. 
 
As the first half progressed, the Courage continued to create chances. In the 30th minute, the ever-dangerous Crystal Dunn let loose a pace-filled shot with her left foot just outside of the 18-yard-box, but watched it travel just wide right of net. 
 
Right before the halftime whistle, McDonald nearly doubled the Courage’s advantage after receiving a pass from Dunn out on the right side of the box, but her effort at goal had a bit too much power on it. 
 
Out of the break, Chicago enjoyed an extended stretch of possession in the Courage half, and Morgan Brian hit the post in the 60th minute. 
 
Four minutes later, Chicago’s Sam Kerr equalized for the home side, heading in a curling cross from Vanessa DiBernardo. 
 
There was nearly an instant response from the Courage, as a free kick in the 67th minute from Debinha from about 22 yards out rose just high. 
 
Constantly involved in the action, Debinha nearly made Chicago pay for a botched clearance in the 79th minute, but she struggled to get much power on her shot, which was gathered comfortably by Naeher. 
 
One last chance came about for the Courage, two minutes into stoppage time, when left back Jaelene Hinkle sent in a threatening cross that second-half substitute Kristen Hamilton nearly connected with. 
 
From that point on, the Courage defense tightened up in the game’s closing minutes and prevented Chicago from stealing a win, as the two sides played to a draw for the second time this season. 
 
Up Next:
The Courage return to Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park to face the Orlando Pride on Saturday, August 18 at 7 p.m. ET in their the second-to-last home match of the regular season. 
 
North Carolina is 2W-0L-0D against Orlando this season, having earned a 4-3 victory on May 23 and a 3-0 win on June 30.  
 
Game Changer:
The Courage had multiple opportunities to recapture the lead in the second half, but Debinha’s near-goal in the 79th minute stands out. Just a few yards out from goal, the Brazil international couldn’t quite get the right amount of power needed on her shot, but still came tantalizingly close to restoring the lead for North Carolina. 
 
Key Stat:
The Courage  is undefeated in road matches (8W-0L-3D), and has scored 29 goals on the road, 15 more than any other team in the NWSL. 
 
Notes:
– The Courage can tie the NWSL record for regular-season wins with a victory in any of their three remaining regular-season matches against the Orlando Pride, Seattle Reign FC and Houston Dash. 
 
– The Courage (50 points) need five more points to break the league record for points in a regular season, a mark set by Seattle Reign FC in 2014 (54 points). 
 
– Through 21 matches, the Courage have scored 44 goals. With three regular-season games remaining, North Carolina needs to score seven more times to break the league record, which was set in 2014 by Seattle Reign FC (50 goals). 
 
– With her first-half goal, Debinha moved into a tie for the fourth-most in the NWSL. 
 
– Jessica McDonald’s first-half assist on Debinha’s goal moved her into a tie for the league lead with Portland’s Christine Sinclair. Both players have seven assists.
 
– The Courage are 13W-0L-2D when scoring first. 
 
– Kristen Hamilton and Heather O’Reilly appeared as second-half substitutes.

– The NC Courage are on an eight-match unbeaten streak.
 
Box Score:
CHI (4-4-2):Alyssa Naeher; Kathleen Naughton, Julie Ertz, Casey Short, Arin Gilliland; Vanessa DiBernardo, Alyssa Mautz (Michele Vasconcelos, 71’), Danielle Colaprico, Morgan Brian; Sam Kerr, Yuki Nagasato
 
Subs not used: Emily Boyd, Brooke Elby, Sarah Gorden, Summer Green, Nikki Stanton, , Rosie White
 
NCC (4-4-2):Katelyn Rowland; Jaelene Hinkle, Abby Erceg ©, Abby Dahlkemper, Merritt Mathias; Debinha (Heather O’Reilly, 81’), Samantha Mewis, Denise O’Sullivan, Crystal Dunn; Lynn Williams, Jessica McDonald (Kristen Hamilton, 77’)
 
Subs not used: Sabrina D’Angelo, Kaleigh Kurtz, Meredith Speck, Darian Jenkins, McCall Zerboni
 
Score:
CHI: 1
NCC: 1
 
Goals:
CHI: Sam Kerr (Vanessa DiBernardo, 64’)
NCC: Debinha (Jessica McDonald, 21’) 
 
Cautions:
CHI: Yuki Nagasato 72’
NCC: Kristen Hamilton 87’
 
Ejections:
NCC: —
POR: —

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NC Courage Held to Scoreless Draw at Utah Royals FC

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Sandy, Utah (July 20, 2018) – The North Carolina Courage (19W-4D-1L, 46 points) threatened all night, but ultimately couldn’t find the game-winning tally in a 0-0 draw with Utah Royals FC on Friday night at Rio Tinto Stadium.
 
With the result, the Courage move one point closer to clinching home-field advantage in the NWSL Playoffs and the NWSL Shield.  

Even with missing six starters on international duty with the United States Women’s National Team, the Courage dominated the game in their usual style.
 
Led by Lynn Williams in attack, the Courage rattled off eight shots, while limiting Utah to just one shot in the opening 45 minutes.
 
Abby Erceg had the best chance of the first half in the fifth minute when she placed a header on target. After measuring up a cross from Debinha, Erceg’s powerful shot forced a diving, reaction save from Utah goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart. 
 
From there, the Courage would put relentless pressure on the Utah backline, as the multi-faceted attack fired shot after shot towards the Utah goal. However, an organized performance from the home side kept the Courage without a goal heading into halftime.
 
North Carolina quickly resumed its attack-minded play after the restart. In the 53rd minute, Kristen Hamilton blasted a shot on goal, but once again, Barnhart was in the right place to make the save. 
 
After soaking up the pressure for most of the match, Utah managed to make a run of their own toward goal, but other than a flurry of corner kicks and four second-half shots, the home side wouldn’t come close to finding the back of the net.
 
In the closing minutes of the match, a furious Courage rally was once again held back by the Royals. Williams was the catalyst for the attack, as she flew down the field into what looked like a one-on-one opportunity on goal. However, a last-minute sliding challenge from Royals FC defender Rachel Corsie sent Williams’ shot out of play.
 
On the ensuing corner kick, the ball floated around the area, but the Courage couldn’t get a clean shot on goal, and the Utah defense turned away the danger one last time to escape with a draw. 
 
Notes:
Six regular starters, Abby Dahlkemper, Crystal Dunn, Jaelene Hinkle, Merrit Mathias, Samantha Mewis and McCall Zerboni, were missing from the NC Courage lineup on international duty with the USWNT.
 
Carlin Hudson, Morgan Reid, Sarah Teegarden and Ryan Williams were signed to National Team Replacement contracts and all appeared on the bench for the Courage. 
 
Utah has held the Courage scoreless for the second time this season. The Royals are the only team in the NWSL to accomplish the feat in 2018.

This was the first scoreless draw for the NC Courage since relocating to North Carolina
 
Up Next:
The NC Courage will shift their focus to the first-ever Women’s International Champions Cup in Miami. North Carolina will face Paris Saint Germain on Thursday, July 26 in the semifinals before advancing to play either Manchester City FC or Olympique Lyonnais.
 
Box Score:
 
UTA (4-3-3): Nicole Barnhart; Rebecca Moros, Rachel Corsie, Samantha Johnson, Katie Bowen; Katrina-Lee Gorry (Brittany Ratcliffe, 64’), Gunnhildur Yrsa Jonsdottir, Desiree Scott; Taylor Lytle (Erika Tymrak, 80’), Katie Stengel, Diana Matheson (Lo’eau LaBonta, 74’)
 
Subs not used: Elise Thorsnes, Colette Smith, Becca Ritchie, Sidney Miramontez
 
NCC (4-4-2): Katelyn Rowland; Meredith Speck, Abby Erceg, Kaleigh Kurtz, Heather O’Reilly; Denise O’Sullivan, Cari Roccaro (Yuri Kawamura, 82’), Kristen Hamilton, Debinha, Lynn Williams, Jessica McDonald (Darian Jenkins, 72’)
 
Subs not used: Sabrina D’Angelo, Morgan Reid, Ryan Williams, Sarah Teegarden, Carlin Hudson
 
Score:
UTA: 0
NCC: 0
 
Goals:
UTA: —
NCC: —
 
Cautions:
UTA: —
NCC: —
 
Ejections:
UTA: —
NCC: —
 
Attendance: 8,529

 

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First-Place Courage Punch Ticket to Playoffs with 4-0 Rout of Sky Blue FC

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UPDATE: The win, paired with results around the league, guarantee the NC Courage a spot in the playoffs for the second consecutive year

Piscataway, NJ (July 14, 2018) – The NC Courage (14W-1L-3D, 45 pts.) punched its ticket to the playoffs for the second consecutive season by dispatching Sky Blue FC (0W-12L-3D, 3 pts.) 4-0 at Yurcak Field on Saturday night. Lynn Williams recorded a second-half hat-trick after a first-half goal by Abby Erceg. Kristen Hamilton recorded two assists and Debinha added one of her own. Katelyn Rowland was exceptional between the posts recording her fourth clean sheet of the season.

The win, paired with other results around the league, guarantees the NC Courage a spot in the NWSL Playoffs for the second consecutive season.

On a warm pleasant evening in New Jersey, both teams traded barbs early on with Sky Blue applying pressure out of the gates. A Carli Lloyd shot from the flank sailed high in the fourth minute, while Williams was unable to finish a rebound from a Debinha shot three minutes later.

In the 11th minute, Debinha once again sent a shot barely wide of goal as the NC Courage started dictating the pace of the game. The tally came just four minutes later when Hamilton had the presence of mind to chase a ball to the touch line and send it across the Sky Blue box. The ball found an oncoming Erceg, who easily headed it near post for her second goal of 2018.

The hosts continued to look for an equalizer and nearly found one in the 34th minute when Sarah Killion tried to head home a cross from Savannah McCaskill only to see the ball rebound off the post.

Both teams continued to search for the back of the net, but the half ended with Courage controlling possession and leading 1-0.

Coming out for the second half, it was the NC Courage who continued to control the pace of the game, Hamilton almost struck a goal of her own, but her strike was saved by Sky Blue goalie Kailen Sheridan in the 52nd minute.

Four minutes later, Williams earned her first goal of the night by tapping in a Hamilton cross as Sheridan came off her line. In the 72nd, the 2016 NWSL MVP recorded her second tally of the game. After receiving a ball from Debinha, Williams went one-v-one with Sheridan and easily finished her opportunity.

Williams completed her hat-trick in the waning moments of the game as she took advantage of a back pass to Sheridan, dispossessing her and slotting the ball near post in the 89th minute for the final 4-0 score.

Next, the Courage travel to Sandy, Utah on Friday, July 20 to face Utah Royals FC at Rio Tinto Stadium at 10 p.m. The team will then travel to Miami, Florida to participate in the first ever Women’s International Champions Cup where it will face Paris St. Germain on Thursday, July 26 at 6 p.m. at Hard Rock Stadium.

 

Notes:

-Abby Erceg recorded her second goal of the season

-Lynn Williams’ hat-trick brings her total to eight goals on the season one goal behind Chicago’s Sam Kerr

-Kristen Hamilton’s two assists bring her total to four on the season

-Debinha recorded her second assist of 2018

-The Courage outshot Sky Blue 25-11 (14-4 on target)

-Since losing to Utah Royals on June 16, the Courage are undefeated in the last five, outscoring their opponents 17-2

Box Score:

NCC (4-4-2): Katelyn Rowland; Jaelene Hinkle (Meredith Speck, 79’), Abby Erceg ©, Abby Dahlkemper, Merritt Mathias; Debinha (Heather O’Reilly, 75’), McCall Zerboni, Denise O’Sullivan, Crystal Dunn, Lynn Williams, Kristen Hamilton (Samantha Mewis, 66’)

Subs not used: Sabrina D’Angelo, Cari Roccaro, Kaleigh Kurtz, Darian Jenkins

NJ (4-3-3): Kailen Sheridan; Amanda Frisbie, Domi Richardson, Mandy Freeman, Erica Skroski; Thaisa Moreno (Madison Tiernan, 77’), Carli Lloyd ©, Sarah Killion; Imani Dorsey, Savannah McCaskill (Janine Beckie, 63’), Shea Groom (Katie Johnson, 70’)
Subs not used: Rebekah Stott, McKenzie Meehan, Caroline Casey,

Score:
NCC: 4

NJ: 0

Goals:
NCC: Abby Erceg (Kristen Hamilton, 15’), Lynn Williams 3 (Kristen Hamilton, 55’, Debinha, 72’, unassisted, 89’)

NJ: —

Cautions:
NCC: —

NJ: Carli Lloyd 85’

Ejections:
NCC: —

NJ: —

NC Courage Roll to 2-0 Shutout Victory over Washington Spirit

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Cary, N.C. (July 11, 2018) – The North Carolina Courage continued to roll, winning their fourth-straight game Wednesday night 2-0 over the Washington Spirit at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park.
 
Midfielder Debinha and forward Jessica McDonald each scored in the victory, which extended the NWSL-leading Courage’s first-place lead to 16 points.

“It was a good professional performance,” Courage head coach Paul Riley said. “I wouldn’t say it was our best performance. It was also 95 (degrees) out there – it was hot, man. So that obviously hurt us a little bit, especially in the first half. We settled down a little bit when it got cooler in the second half. Yeah, I’m happy. The result is the result.” 
 
The Courage (13W-1L-3D, 42 points) opened up the scoring in the 12th minute when Debinha netted her third goal in as many games.
 
The build-up to the goal began when midfielder McCall Zerboni spotted both Debinha and forward Lynn Williams making runs past Washington’s back line. Zerboni’s service was tracked down by Williams, who centered the ball, setting up an easy finish for Debinha.
 
The Courage controlled the possession and appeared momentarily to have doubled their advantage in the 30th minute when Williams headed her effort past Washington goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe, but she was ruled offsides.
 
With goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland hardly troubled – apart from a 10th minute strike from Washington right back Taylor Smith – the Courage took a 1-0 lead into the break.
 
In the 55th minute, it was Williams once again who nearly gave the Courage a two-goal lead. Able to deftly settle a long ball sent in from right back Merritt Mathias, Williams rounded Washington’s Bledsoe, and shot at an empty net from a tight angle, only to see the Spirit goalkeeper scramble back to the line and dive to save the shot.  
 
Eventually, the Courage did find a second goal. Fed a pass at the edge of the area on the right from midfielder Crystal Dunn, forward Jessica McDonald cut inside and her left-footed strike took a deflection before finding the back of the net in the 60th minute.
 
From that point onward, the Courage never gave up control of the match and maneuvered comfortably to their seventh clean sheet of the season.
 
Up Next: 
The Courage close out their regular-season series with Sky Blue FC in Piscataway, N.J., on Saturday, July 14 at 7 p.m. ET.
 
A stoppage-time goal by McDonald lifted the Courage to a 1-0 win over Sky Blue in March, and Dunn and Samantha Mewis each scored first-half goals in a 2-1 win in New Jersey in May.

Game Changer: 
After going ahead 1-0, the Courage adding a second goal looked much more likely than the Spirit getting on the board. To their credit, however, the visitors were hard to break down defensively. But McDonald’s 60th-minute strike gave the Courage more breathing room, and a two-goal deficit was too much for Washington to overcome, especially against a Courage team that hasn’t surrendered multiple goals since May 23.

Key Stat: 
With their victory, the Courage improved to a perfect 6W-0L-0D against the Spirit since relocating to Cary in 2017.

They Said It: 
“We definitely have a target on our back – we are the team to beat. And at the end of the day, it is kind of nice to have that pressure and be able to act on the field in a professional manner the way that we have during this process. It’s pretty amazing to see us improve each game.” – Courage forward Jessica McDonald.  

Notes: 
– Heather O’Reilly started for the first time as a member of the Courage.
 
– With their goals against the Spirit, Debinha and Jessica McDonald both have six in 2018, tied for the fifth most in the NWSL.
 
– Through 17 matches, the Courage currently have 42 points, just seven shy of last season’s total (49 points).
 
– Crystal Dunn moved into a tie with Portland’s Christine Sinclair for the league lead in assists; both players have five in 2018.
 
Box Score: 
 
Lineups:
NCC (4-4-2): Katelyn Rowland; Heather O’Reilly, Abby Erceg ©, Abby Dahlkemper, Merritt Mathias; Debinha (Meredith Speck, 88’), McCall Zerboni, Denise O’Sullivan, Crystal Dunn (Kristen Hamilton, 71’), Lynn Williams, Jessica McDonald (Samantha Mewis, 65’)

Subs not used: Sabrina D’Angelo, Cari Roccaro, Kaleigh Kurtz, Darian Jenkins,
 
WAS (4-4-2): Aubrey Bledsoe; Caprice Dydasco, Whitney Church, Taylor Smith (Mallory Eubanks, 85’), Estelle Johnson ©, Rebecca Quinn, Andi Sullivan, Meggie Dougherty Howard (Havana Solaun, 73’), Tori Huster, Estefania Banini (Rose Lavelle, 69’), Ashley Hatch

Subs not used:; Joanna Lohman, Kelsey Wys, DiDi Haracic, Francisca Ordega  
 
Score:
NCC: 2
WAS: 0

Goals:
NCC: Debinha (unassisted, 12’), Jessica McDonald (Crystal Dunn, 60’)
WAS: —

Cautions:
NCC: Denise O’Sullivan 53’
WAS: —
 
Ejections:
NCC: —
WAS: —
 
Attendance: 3,409

 
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THEY'RE FINALLY HOME. 2017 SEASON REVIEW

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On October 31, 2002, I dressed up as my childhood hero for Halloween.

Danielle Fotopoulus was fresh off a WUSA Founder’s Cup Championship, and my adoration of this U.S. Women’s National Teamer was at an all time high. I had to be her for Halloween. Like HAD TO.

I was dressed head to toe in a royal blue Carolina Courage kit, even though it was 40 degrees outside, and my mom made me wear a reflector necklace. Regardless, I didn’t let it ruin my vibe.

I got to spend the spooky evening as the starting forward of the coolest soccer team that my nine-year-old self could ever dream of. I was stoked and legitimately pretended I was her when I strutted up to the neighbor’s door in my shin guards and cleats to ask for candy. Best day ever.

Fast forward eleven months. I’ll always remember September 15, 2003. Worst day ever.

The WUSA announced that after three seasons, it would be suspending operations. I didn’t know exactly what this meant, but what I did know was that my team was gone.  I sobbed profusely as my parents tucked me into bed.

Shortly after the WUSA’s announcement, the local newspapers picked up the story, and one paper interviewed my dad who is a longtime Cary resident, high school coach and father of two girls.

“I like to see every sport and every gender represented equally,” the News & Observer quoted my dad saying in 2003. “Another opportunity has been taken away from women to be a professional athlete.”

I was so confused. North Carolina was a historic hotbed for women’s soccer. I couldn’t understand how the Carolina Courage could just be gone in the blink of an eye when they were So. Freaking. Good.

Cary was the Courage’s home. They belonged here and the whole community felt it.  Something great had to come to an end.

The next 14 years were filled with more soccer success for the state. After all, North Carolina is home to the best women’s college programs in the country, and our youth clubs are second to none. We weren’t deprived by any means. Soccer never left NC from 2003-2017, but boy, something was missing.

On January 9, 2017, it all came back.

Media and community officials gathered in the East Suites of WakeMed Soccer Park on a cold winter morning awaiting the announcement that then-NWSL Commissioner Jeff Plush, Governor Roy Cooper and NCFC club owner Steve Malik were to make.

The North Carolina Courage was to be the NWSL’s newest team, and they were to start playing in April.

As I stood to reveal the Courage logo for our press conference guests to see, I struggled to hold back the emotions.

I was elated that more young athletes would get to experience what I had at nine years old as a season ticket holder for the Carolina Courage. Soccer fanatics from across the state would once again flood WakeMed Soccer Park to watch the best female athletes in the world go to work.

In April, the 2017 NWSL Season started. We knew we had a good team; we had acquired the league’s reigning Champions. Owner Steve Malik had declared that we were going to be the best women’s professional soccer team in the world. I’m sure a handful of people believed him.

That prediction, however, would come to pass. Every time the Courage reached a milestone, we became less surprised, and more impressed.

The NC Courage started with a win on the road in Week 1 against the Washington Spirit. Then they came home and opened up with a win over the Portland Thorns in front of a massive 6,298-person crowd. Brazilian Debinha laid out a bicycle kick to start the second half, and the entire stadium roared. What’s up Courage Country.

Then the Courage won again, and again. 4-0 in the first 4 weeks. That’s got to be a record.

Head coach Paul Riley never focused on records or results. He was honest from the beginning that the season was all about improvement each week, not about outcomes. Stay the COuRse.

Four wins turned into 16 wins in the regular season, and the Courage clinched the NWSL Shield. That’s definitely a record.

Ashley Hatch scored her first professional goal against FC Kansas City on June 3, 2017. And she kept scoring. And didn’t stop. Seven goals in her rookie season. Junkyard Dogs.

​As the final week of the regular season rolled around, we looked up, and our team was in first place, headed to the NWSL Playoffs. The buzz was back. That intoxicating feeling we had felt in years past that came from being the best had emerged again. 

But the Chicago Red Stars were coming to town for the final NC Courage home game of 2017, and they were the only team we hadn’t beaten all year. Underdogs.

90 minutes went by with no goals from either side until a corner from Abby Dahlkemper found Jess McDonald and then, like a movie script, fell to the feet of Denise O’Sullivan. We’re going to the ‘ship.

To conclude their inaugural season, the NC Courage were packing their bags and heading to Orlando for the NWSL Championship. Many of the players had been in this position before. They’d won the whole thing with the Western New York Flash a year ago. Could it be destiny?

45 minutes and no score. 45 more minutes and one score, but not for us.

It was the end of the season, but not the end of the race. No Finish Line.

While the Courage didn’t get the preferred result in the NWSL Championship against the Portland Thorns, they laid the foundation for seasons to come. They’ve given fans a reason to return to Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park for 2018 and brought back the joy that is the beautiful game as interpreted by the feet of women of amazing strength and skill.


The NC Courage has always lived in our state. It’s lived in the dynasty of women’s NCAA National Championships. It’s lived in the sold-out U.S. Women’s National Team friendly matches. It’s existed in the thousands upon thousands of youth players with dreams so palpable that they actually decide to go for them.

If we’re going by the book, Day 1 of the NC Courage was January 9, 2017.

But we’re the NC Courage, so we don’t go by the book.

Day 1 of the NC Courage cannot and should not be placed on a calendar. 2017 was technically our inaugural season, but it didn’t really feel like it.

The NC Courage didn’t move to Cary on January 9, 2017. That’s the day they finally came back home.

NC COURAGE FALLS 1-0 IN HARD-FOUGHT NWSL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH AGAINST PORTLAND THORNS

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ORLANDO (Oct. 14, 2017)- The North Carolina Courage suffered a heartbreaking 1-0 loss against the Portland Thorns in the NWSL Championship Game at Orlando City Stadium in Orlando, Fla. Lindsey Horan scored the lone goal of the game for Portland despite a strong showing by the NWSL Shield winners. Overall, the NC Courage put forth a valiant effort outshooting the Thorns 16-4, but were unable to convert their numerous chances.

“I’m obviously disappointed,” said NC Courage head coach Paul Riley. “I thought we played a brilliant game overall. Obviously two early substitutions changed the formation a little bit, but I give a lot of credit to our players who hung in there, outplayed them. I thought we were the better team overall.”

An aggressive Portland forced Riley to make a substitution early on when Taylor Smith was body checked by Tobin Heath and had to leave the game in the opening minutes of the match. A second substitution came in the 38th minute when Kristen Hamilton was also forced to leave the game following a foul from Heath.

It was the NWSL Shield winners, however, who had the clearer chances in the half with Sam Mewis sending a looping shot over Thorns keeper Adrianna Franch only to see the ball bounce of the crossbar in the 14th minute.


As the chippy affair continued, McCall Zerboni sent a cross into the box looking for Lynn Williams who sent the ball barely to the left side of the goal in the 32nd.

Three minutes later Denise O’Sullivan looked to replicate her game winner from the semifinal match as she took a shot from the top of the box, but Franch denied the Irish International her tally.

After a scoreless first half, the Thorns found the back of the net just five minutes into the second stanza, a free kick from distance found Emily Sonnett at the top of the box, the defender headed the ball far post to Horan who slotted it past NC Courage Kate Rowland for the 1-0 lead.

The Courage continued to press and almost found the equalizer in the 83rd minute as Jessica McDonald found herself in the box only to see her attempt blocked by a Thorns defender.

The last few minutes were played in front of Franch’s goal, but several attempts by Williams, Mewis and and McDonald were all thwarted by the Thorns.

In the end, the NC Courage left Orlando City Stadium with their heads high having broken several records this season and leading the league all year.

Box Score
 
Lineups
NC Courage: Katelyn Rowland; Jaelene Hinkle, Abby Erceg (C), Abby Dahlkemper, Taylor Smith (Makenzy Doniak,12’); Denise O’Sullivan (Stephanie Ochs, 86’), Sam Mewis, McCall Zerboni, Kristen Hamilton (Jessica McDonald, 39’); Lynn Williams, Ashley Hatch

Subs not used: Sabrina D’Angelo, Meredith Speck, Samantha Witteman, Nora Holstad

Portland Thorns:  Adrianna Franch; Emily Sonnett, Amandine Henry (Allie Long, 90’+), Meghan Klingenberg, Katherine Reynolds; Emily Menges, Ashleigh Sykes (Dagny Brynjarsdottir, 54’; Hayley Raso (Nadia Nadim, 69’), Tobin Heath, Lindsey Horan; Christine Sinclair ©

Subs not used: Britt Eckerstrom, Tyler Lussi, Celeste Bourelle, Mallory Weber

Score:
NCC: 0
POR: 1
 
Goals:
NCC:
POR: Lindsey Horan (Emily Sonnett, 50’)

Cautions:
NCC:
POR: Tobin Heath 41’, Hayley Raso 45’+, Dagny Brynjarsdottir 72’
 
Ejections:
NCC: —
CRS: —

Attendance: 8,124