Cary, NC (October 12, 2019)- Jessica McDonald scored twice to help the Courage close out a stellar regular-season with their 15th win of 2019 as they defeated Sky Blue FC 3-2. McDonald scored the team’s 54th goal of the season, breaking the NWSL regular-season goal record set by the club in 2018. The Courage will now move on to the NWSL Semifinals on October 20 at 1:30 p.m. where they will host Megan Rapinoe and Reign FC.

“The foundation of the team is strong,” said head coach Paul Riley after the game. “We built it brick by brick. A lot of times the bricks that have been thrown at us we’ve used to build a foundation in the last four years and I think we’re a better team now than we were a year ago.”

McDonald started the scoring on Fan Appreciation Night at Sahlen’s Stadium. In the 16th minute, McCall Zerboni fed McDonald the ball through two Sky Blue defenders. McDonald’s first shot was blocked but the forward stayed with it, netting the ball on the second attempt.

Sky Blue FC and Carli Lloyd answered quickly. Just 10 minutes later, Lloyd buried a long shot past Katelyn Rowland. Raquel Rodriguez had the assist on Sky Blue’s goal.

The North Carolina Courage immediately bounced back earning a corner kick. Heather O’Reilly took the corner that bounced around the box before landing at Cari Roccaro’s feet. Roccaro played the ball slightly wide to Debinha who chipped the ball over Kailen Sheridan and into the net.

The NC Courage entered halftime up 2-1. This was the third-consecutive game that the Courage were leading at halftime.

In the 81st minute, McDonald tallied the NC Courage’s record-breaking goal as she collected a pass from Debinha and cooly tapped it into the back of the net.

Second half substitute Domi Richardson got a goal back in the 86th minute when she saw an opening and took a shot from way outside the box. The Courage defense held off Sky Blue for the final minutes of the game to secure the victory.

Up Next: The North Carolina Courage will host the NWSL Semifinal against Reign FC on Sunday, October 20 at 1:30 p.m. at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park. Tickets for the match can be purchased here.

Notes:

• The NC Courage broke the NWSL regular-season record for most goals scored after Jessica McDonald scored the team’s 54th goal of the season.

• With Reign FC’s draw against the Orlando Pride, Vlatko Andonovski’s team will travel to play the Courage in the NWSL Semifinal match on Sunday, October 20 at 1:30 p.m.

• The North Carolina Courage received their third consecutive NWSL Shield in a ceremony after the match.

• Jessica McDonald netted her fourth and fifth goals of the season.

• Cari Roccaro recorded her first assist for the NC Courage.

Box:
NCC (4-4-2): Katelyn Rowland; Jaelene Hinkle, Abby Erceg © (Samantha Mewis, 65’), Abby Dahlkemper, Heather O’Reilly; Debinha (Meredith Speck, 83’), McCall Zerboni, Cari Roccaro, Kristen Hamilton (Denise O’Sullivan, 74’); Lynn Williams, Jessica McDonald

Subs not used: Stephanie Labbé, Kaleigh Kurtz, McKenzie Meehan, Crystal Dunn,

NJ (4-3-3): Kailen Sheridan; Caprice Dydasco, Julie James Doyle, Estelle Johnson, Erica Skroski; Sarah Killion ©, Raquel Rodriguez, Nahomi Kawasumi; Imani Dorsey (Domi Richardson, 46’), Carli Lloyd, Liz Eddy

Subs not used: Didi Haracic, Megan Hinz, Amandine Pierre Louis, Kenie Wright, Gina Lewandoswki, Paige Monaghan

Score:
NCC: 3
NJ: 2

Goals:
NCC: Jessica McDonald (Unassisted, 16’, Debinha, 82’), Debinha (Cari Roccaro, 28’)
NJ: Carli Lloyd (Raquel Rodriguez, 26’), Domi Richardson (Unassisted, 86’)

Cautions:
NCC: —
NJ: —

Ejections:
NCC: —
NJ: —

Attendance: 9,195