CARY, N.C. (Feb. 22, 2019) – The North Carolina Courage announced today they have acquired Canadian goalkeeper Stephanie Labbé. Per club policy, no further details of the transaction were disclosed. Labbé will bring years of experience to the North Carolina Courage as they look to defend the NWSL Shield and title in 2019, following the departure of Sabrina D’Angelo.
“Losing Sabs [D’Angelo] was never going to be easy but gaining Steph [Labbé] is massive for the club,” Courage head coach Paul Riley said. “She has fantastic feet, excellent organization skills, great shot blocker and has a proven presence which is crucial in the top levels of the game. Her training habits are exemplary and I’m sure Kate [Rowland] and Steph will push each other every day to develop their own game. Proud to have two such quality goalkeepers at the prime of their careers. We are excited to get Steph in our training environment to further improve the squad as we look to establish COURAGE country as the destination for the world’s best players” Labbé brings international and NWSL experience with her as she joins the NC Courage. Most recently, she has been playing for Linköpings FC, a Swedish team in the Damallsvenskan. She made nine appearances with Linköpings FC after joining the team in July 2018. In early 2018, Labbé made six appearances with Calgary Foothills WFC in the UWS.
In 2016 and 2017, Labbé played in the NWSL for the Washington Spirit. During the 2017 season, she made 17 appearances for a total of 1530 minutes. She had 65 saves on the season, including a season-high eight saves in the Spirit’s 1-0 loss against the Courage in the 2017 season opener. Labbé played in eight games in 2016 and had a total of 22 saves.
From 2012-2014, Labbé played for KIF Orebro in the Swedish professional soccer league. She made 62 appearances with the team over the three-season period. Labbé played alongside recent Courage addition, Julia Spetsmark, in 2014.
Labbé started her professional career in 2009 after graduating from the University of Connecticut. She joined Pitea IF, another team in the Damallsvenskan, where she played three seasons. She made 37 appearances during that time.
Internationally, Labbé is a Canadian standout. She made her first appearance with the Canadian National Team in 2008. In 2016, Labbé was the starting goalkeeper for the Canadian team in the 2016 Rio Olympics, helping the team win the bronze medal. She has made 56 appearances and 49 starts with the Canadian National Team, 24 of which have been clean sheets.
Labbé joins a growing North Carolina Courage roster that currently includes goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland, defenders Abby Dahlkemper, Abby Erceg, Ally Haran, and Kaleigh Kurtz, midfielders Denise O’Sullivan, Sam Mewis, Heather O’Reilly, Cari Roccaro, Meredith Speck, McCall Zerboni, and Julia Spetsmark, and forwards Crystal Dunn and Lynn Williams. The club continues discussions with key players from the 2018 NWSL Championship roster and player announcements will continue as the Courage near preseason.
Season tickets for the NC Courage’s 2019 season are on sale now and feature many great packages and benefits – including the brand-new Auto-Renewal Program and traditional benefits such as exclusive meet the team opportunities. Click here to learn more about season tickets or call the Coastal Credit Union Box Office at 919-459-8144 to speak with a ticket representative.
Player Profile:
Name: Stephanie Labbé
Position: Goalkeeper
Birthdate: October 10, 1986
Hometown: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Height: 5’10
Citizenship: Canadian
Previous Club: Linköpings FC
Transaction: North Carolina Courage has acquired Stephanie Labbé
