Cary, N.C. (Oct. 25, 2017)- North Carolina Courage forward and NWSL Rookie of the Year Ashley Hatch will play in Australia with Melbourne City of the Westfield W-League during the NWSL offseason on loan, the club announced today.

Hatch played in 24 games for the NC Courage in 2017 and tied the NWSL record for most goals in a rookie season with seven. After her Rookie-of-the-Year-worthy season, Hatch’s contract option was picked up for the 2018 season by the NC Courage, the club announced Tuesday, Oct. 23.

Melbourne City Women play in the Westfield W-League which kicks off its 2017 season on Friday, Oct. 27 and wraps up the first weekend of February 2018. The team’s first match is on Friday, Oct. 27 against Perth Glory Women.

Hatch will return to North Carolina prior to the start of the 2018 NWSL season.

About North Carolina Courage
The North Carolina Courage is a Division I professional women’s soccer team that plays in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). The NC Courage, the reigning NWSL Shield Winners, plays its home games at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, NC. For more information, please visit www.www.nccourage.com or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.