CARY, N.C. (Sept. 2, 2023) — The North Carolina Courage played to a 3-3 draw in front of 6,389 fans at WakeMed Soccer Park Saturday night. The Courage played to a second straight draw and sit in second place in the standings on 28 points (8W-6L-4D) entering Monday.
The Courage struck first when Kerolin Nicoli set up Naromi in the 19’ then doubled their lead when Kerolin turned goal scorer on a Haley Hopkins assist at the tail end of the first half. Gotham got a goal back on a questionable penalty call, but the Courage answered with a beautiful finish from Hopkins in the 68’ to regain a two-goal advantage. Gotham struck for a pair late in the second half, including a brilliant combination from Midge Purce and Lynn Williams, to draw even. North Carolina had a few more chances to regain the lead, but would settle for a second draw with Gotham this season.
Match Notes
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North Carolina have scored in their last 8 games in the NWSL, their longest scoring streak this season.
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North Carolina Courage have scored in 15 of their 18 games, only Portland Thorns (17) have scored goals in more matches in the NWSL this season.
Next Match: The North Carolina Courage visit the Kansas City Current in the UKG NWSL Challenge Cup semifinals on Wednesday, September 6, at 8 ET / 7 CT on CBS Sports Network.
Box Score:
NCC (4-3-3): Casey Murphy, Sydney Collins, Malia Berkely, Kaleigh Kurtz, Ryan Williams, Narumi Miura, Denise O’Sullivan, Manaka Matsukubo (Olivia Wingate – 84’), Haley Hopkins, Tess Boade (Tyler Lussi – 74’), Kerolin
Subs Not Used: Katelyn Rowland, Brianna Pinto, Brittany Ratcliffe, Kiki Pickett, Estelle Johnson, Frankie Tagliaferri
NJY (4-3-3): Amanda Haught, Jenna Nighswonger, Ali Krieger, Maitane López, Bruninha, Sinead Farrelly, Nealy Martin (Ellie Jean – 46’), Delanie Sheehan, Lynn Williams, Katie Stengel, Ifeoma Onumonu
Subs Not Used: Michelle Betos, Kelley O’Hara, Esther Gonzalez, Kristen Edmonds, Mana Shim, Sabrina Flores, Midge Purce
Score:
NCC: 3
NJY: 3
Goals:
NCC: Narumi – 19’ (Kerolin); Kerolin – 41’ (Hopkins); Hopkins – 69’ (Kerolin)
NJY: J. Nighswonger – 64’ (P); M. Lopez – 73’; M Purce – 83’ (Williams)
Cautions:
NCC: Kerolin – 40’; T. Lussi – 86’
NJY: M. Purce – 76’
Ejections:
NCFC: –
NJY: –
