MATCHDAY INFO:
NORTH CAROLINA COURAGE VS. ORLANDO PRIDE
SAHLEN’S STADIUM AT WAKEMED SOCCER PARK
KICKOFF: SATURDAY, SEPT. 30- 7:30 PM ET

BROADCAST: go90 APP, go90.COM, NWSLSOCCER.COM
LIVE UPDATES: @THENCCOURAGE #NCvORL

Match Preview:
The North Carolina Courage (16W-1D-6L, 49 pts, 1st place) hosts the Orlando Pride (10W-7D-6L, 37 pts, 4th place) tonight in the final regular season match of the 2017 NWSL Season.

The Courage is coming off a two-game road trip which took the team from Sky Blue FC on Sunday to the Houston Dash on Wednesday where they clinched the 2017 NWSL Shield.

Prior to kickoff, Amanda Duffy, NWSL Managing Director of Operations, will present the 2017 NWSL Shield to the NC Courage for winning the regular season – the award is the team’s first major trophy.

Sam Mewis, Lynn Williams, Debinha and Ashley Hatch each had a goal to contribute to the 4-0 win over the Houston Dash on Wednesday night. Sabrina D’Angelo earned the team’s 12th shutout of the year, setting a new record for most shutouts in a single season. With the victory, the NC Courage won the regular season with 16 wins, tying Seattle’s record of most wins in a single season.

Orlando joined the NC Courage on the playoff list by locking in a top four finish in the 2017 regular season this weekend. The Pride tied the Portland Thorns 0-0 on Saturday, Sept. 23, but a Seattle loss to FC Kansas City on Sunday secured the playoff spot for the Pride.

This is the third and final meeting between the Courage and the Pride, and the season series is tied currently with one win each. The NC Courage took the first game with a 3-1 win at home, but the Pride responded with a 3-1 victory over the Courage in Orlando just two weeks later.

Players to Watch:
#12 Ashley Hatch
Hatch has remained consistent throughout her rookie season having appeared in 21 matches in 2017. On Wednesday, Hatch netted her seventh goal of the season, which tied the league record for most goals in a rookie season.

#13 Alex Morgan
The USWNT superstar has put away nine goals in just 12 games played since June after returning from a loan abroad from Olympique Lyon. Since coming stateside, she’s landed on the August Team of the Month and was named the August Player of the Month.

Coming Up Next:
The NC Courage will start post-season play as the team hosts a semi-final playoff match on Sunday, Oct. 8 at 3:30 pm ET. An opponent for that match is to be determined. Tickets can be purchased online at NCFCTix.com or by calling the box office at 919-459-8144.