CARY, N.C. (April 15, 2023) — The North Carolina Courage fell to the Washington Spirit, 2-1, Saturday night in front of 5,160 fans at WakeMed Soccer Park. The Courage drop to 1-2-0 on the season while Washington improves to 2-0-1 on the year.
The Courage fell behind very early after a giveaway in the defensive third left Trinity Rodman alone in the box and she buried the chance to put the visitors ahead in just the sixth minute. The Courage responded extremely well, building several immediate chances.
They broke through with the equalizer just before half time when a brilliant combination got Mille Gejl a good look from just outside the box. She blistered a shot that forced a handball in the box and the penalty was converted by Kerolin Nicoli for her second goal in as many matches.
Shortly after the halftime break, the whistle went the other way when Emily Fox was whistled for a foul in the box despite boisterous protest from the Courage bench and faithful. Ashley Hatch converted the penalty for what would be the game-winner in the 49’. The Courage dominated possession to the tune of 67%, out-shot the Spirit 13-5 and had four corner kicks to none for the Spirit. With 10 minutes of added time in the second half, the Courage peppered the Spirit back line with crosses and chances but could not find the combination to bring the match back level.
Quoting the Courage:
Head Coach Sean Nahas
“I thought it was good performance from the group to be fair. We had some moments of adversity and felt we had good moments and spells and possession. I thought, especially in the second half, some of the adjustments we made in the spaces we found created some good chances in the latter part of that half. But, you know, can’t be naive to think it’s just going to come easy. We have to find ways to put those in the back of the net and those are the learning moments that we’re going to have to go through. I was overall pleased with the team performance, just disappointed for them to not get a result.”
“I thought the first 10 minutes we were good and then they got us spelled and then we gave up the goal and we looked like we were in shock. Much like San Diego, we looked like we were in shock. I was wondering about their, their character. And I challenged that, not in a negative way, but say, you know, respond in a positive way, so you show great character. So let’s continue to build off that. But I really wanted them to believe, you know, I wanted them to remember where we started three months ago and realize the style that we’re playing is tremendous and to continue to believe and continue to push forward and continue to play on the front foot and continue to, to do the things, the little things that it takes to be successful.
It wasn’t for a lack of quality. It wasn’t for a lack of anything. It was just a lack of that final piece. And, but told them I was proud of them and how they responded. I thought was our goal to build up, to get there, I thought was unbelievable. We did it the rest of the way.
It just didn’t bounce our way. But, yeah I told the players after the game, I was really proud of them. You know, I was disappointed for them. I’m not one to say they deserve to get a point. I felt that today was one of those days where we performed well enough to get a point, but we just didn’t do enough, uh, in certain areas to get a point. But we’ll learn from it.”
Denise O’Sullivan
“We get those chances that come our way. Just keep working on it. If. It doesn’t come overnight. And look, they’re young players. They’re new players, and it takes a long time to get adjusted to this. So for me, as a leader on this team, I just need to support those girls and, and keep encouraging them, but at the same time, hold them accountable as well. So, Sean told everyone at the end it wouldn’t watch the video and you’ll be disappointed to see that. I just need to be there to support them and keep this team going through these moments. Cause there’s going to be a lot of these moments throughout the season and it’s just about picking ourselves back up again after.”
Emily Fox
“We’re obviously a little disappointed with the results. I think not looking at the results we dominated, and we played really well. I think a lot of the things that we’re trying to do this year, you could really see in terms of like our possession and our aggressiveness to win the ball back and to keep going, going, going, whether it’s the first 10 or the 90th minute. So I think we’re really proud of that.”
Match Notes:
- Denise O’Sullivan was honored prior to Saturday’s match for 100 NWSL regular season and playoff appearances in a Courage uniform.
- Kerolin Nicoli scored from the penalty spot for the second time in as many matches
- Millie Farrow made her NWSL debut when she came on for the Courage in the 87’. Chloe Rickets made her league debut for the Spirit as well.
Next Match: The North Carolina Courage begin a three-match road swing as they open up UKG Challenge Cup play in Orlando this Wednesday, April 18, against the Pride. The match will kick off from Exploria Stadium at 7:00 p.m. ET and stream live on Paramount+ while @TheNCCourage provides live updates on social media.
Box Score:
NCC (4-3-3): Casey Murphy, Emily Fox, Kaleigh Kurtz, Ryan Williams, Kiki Pickett, Denise O’Sullivan ©, Narumi (Brittany Ratcliffe – 87’), Brianna Pinto (Millie Farrow – 87’), Mille Gejl (Tyler Lussi – 62’), Kerolin Nicoli, Haley Hopkins (Rikke Madsen – 71’)
Subs Not Used: Sydney Collins, Katelyn Rowland, Clara Robbins, Meredith Speck, Malia Berkely.
WAS (4-3-3): Aubrey Kingsbury ©, Sam Staab, Tara McKeown, Gabby Carle (Amber Brooks – 65’), Dorian Bailey, Ines Jaurena (Jordan Baggett – 90+2’), Andi Sullivan, Marissa Sheva (Chloe Ricketts – 65’), Trinity Rodman, Ashley Sanchez, Ashley Hatch (Civana Kuhlmann – 80’)
Subs Not Used: Lyza Bosselmann, Nicole Barnhart, Maddie Elwell, Nicole Douglas, Lena Silano.
Score:
NCC: 1
WAS: 2
Goals:
NCC: Kerolin – 43’ (PK)
WAS: T. Rodman – 6’; A. Hatch – 49’ (PK)
Cautions:
NCC: Bench – 52’;T. Lussi – 69’; B. Pinto – 81’
WAS: A. Sullivan – 41’, T. Rodman – 78’
Ejections:
NCC: –
WAS: –
