Cary, N.C. (May 30, 2019)- The North Carolina Courage (2W-2L-3D) travel to take on the Orlando Pride (0W-6L-1D) on Saturday, June 1 for their second away match of the week. The matchup is the second time they meet this season, as the Courage defeated the Pride 5-0 on April 17. The match is the NC Courage’s last match before the break for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The Courage are coming off of a 2-1 loss against Reign FC, in Tacoma, Wash., last Monday that consisted of many stoppage time chances for the visitors. The Courage’s only goal of the game came from Abby Erceg in the 89th minute. Jaelene Hinkle provided the assist on Erceg’s header.

The NC Courage had several chances after Erceg’s late goal but were not able to find the equalizer. Merritt Mathias provided one of the chances after flying a shot into the crossbar right before the final whistle.

The Orlando Pride are returning home after a trip to Sandy, Utah on Saturday, May 25 where they fell 2-0 to Utah Royals FC. The Pride are still looking for their first win of the season and will be looking to defeat the Courage as redemption for the first meeting of the season.

In the Courage’s 5-0 win against the Pride on April 17, Lynn Williams, Jessica McDonald, Julia Spetsmark each had a goal while Crystal Dunn recorded a brace. The match is the Courage’s highest-scoring match to date, having scored more goals in the one match then in the whole month of May.

Up Next: The North Carolina Courage will return to action and to the newly resodded Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park on June 15 to play the Portland Thorns. The game is part of a North Carolina Football Club doubleheader with North Carolina FC taking on the Swope Park Rangers at 5:00 p.m. before the Courage and Thorns take the field at 7:45 p.m.

Players to Watch:

North Carolina Courage- #12 Leah Pruitt
Pruitt was drafted 5th overall in the 2019 NWSL Draft and has already found her role with the team. Pruitt scored her first professional goal on April 28 against the Houston Dash. She then earned her first professional start nearly a month later on May 27 against Reign FC.

Orlando Pride- #16 Carson Pickett
Pickett has started all seven games of the season for Orlando for a total of 630 minutes. She has impressive defensive numbers on the season with 17 clearances and 17 interceptions. She has also added one assist on the season.