CARY, N.C. (May 3, 2023) — The North Carolina Courage had chances early and often, but drew 1-1 with Gotham FC Wednesday night in UKG NWSL Challenge Cup action at WakeMed Soccer Park. The Courage sit in second place in the East Division with two points while Gotham leads the group with four.

It was a dream start for the home team, scoring in the opening moments. Brittany Ratcliffe played a perfect ball through to Olivia Wingate who centered the ball for Mille Gejl to smash into the back of the net. Gejl now has two goals for the Courage, one in regular season play and one in the Challenge Cup. Wingate is credited with her first professional assist. A few minutes later, the Courage had a chance to take a stranglehold on the game. A great strike forced the Gotham keeper to parry the ball out for a corner, and the ensuing set piece led to a handball in the box to give the Courage a penalty. VAR reviewed the play, but eventually the call stood. After a long pause over the ball, Brianna Pinto’s attempt hit woodwork and the rebound was sent just wide, seeing a chance to double the lead go by the boards. Gotham brought on some veteran players at half and turned up their press, challenging the young Courage lineup for much of the second half. They’d eventually break through then Jenna Nighswonger got through the left side and turned a cross into the middle of the box, where Lynn Williams was able to nudge it past Katelyn Rowland to tie the game with a quarter-hour to play. Another VAR decision came just past the hour mark. Ratcliffe made another strong run and Michelle Betos came off her line to try and prevent the breakaway. She collided with Ratcliffe just outside the penalty area and was initially shown a red card for denial of a goal-scoring opportunity. VAR intervened and the call was changed, allowing the Gotham keeper to stay on.

Match Notes:

Next Match: The North Carolina Courage return to NWSL regular season action as they welcome in the defending champion Portland Thorns to WakeMed Soccer Park on Saturday, May 6, at 7:00 p.m. ET. The match will stream live on Paramount+ and @TheNCCourage will provide social media updates. Tickets can be purchased here.

Box Score:

NC (4-3-3): Katelyn Rowland, Emily Fox (Sydney Collins – 46’), Malia Berkely, Kaleigh Kurtz, Ryan Williams, Denise O’Sullivan © (Victoria Pickett – 60), Meredith Speck, Brianna Pinto (Narumi – 60’), Mille Gejl (Kerolin Nicoli – 60’), Olivia Wingate, Brittany Ratcliffe (Tyler Lussi – 77’)

Subs Not Used: Casey Murphy, Clara Robbins, Millie Farrow,, Frankie Tagliaferri

NJY (4-4-2): Michelle Betos ©, Kelley O’Hara, Mandy Freeman, Ellie Jean (Ali Krieger – 46’), Jenna Nighswonger, McCall Zerboni (Kristie Mewis – 46’), Nealy Martin, Sinead Farrelly (Taylor Smith – , Svava Gudmundsdóttir (Lynn Williams – 46’), Delanie Sheehan, Ifeoma Onumonu (Yazmeen Ryan – 64’)

Subs Not Used: Sabrina Flores, Amanda Haught, Nahomi Kawasumi, Bruninha

Score:

NC: 1

NJY: 1

Goals:

NC: M. Gejl – 3’ (Wingate)

NJY: L. Williams – 75’ (Nighswonger)

Cautions:

NC:

NJY: Bench – 64’, N. Martin – 72’

Ejections:

NCC: –

HOU: –