CARY, N.C. (June 24, 2023) — The North Carolina Courage responded to a slow start with a strong second half en route to a 1-0 win over Racing Louisville FC Saturday night at WakeMed Soccer Park. The Courage pitched their NWSL-best seventh clean sheet of the season while goalkeeper Casey Murphy became the youngest keeper in league history to reach 30 clean sheets for her career. The team improves to 7-4-2 on the season and is currently tied in second place in the standings with 23 points.
The Courage were under siege for much of the first half, out-shot by an 8-2 count through the first 45 minutes. Murphy made a diving save just shy of the half-hour mark off a set piece header to keep the match level. The script completely flipped in the second half, with the Courage firing 10 shots to Louisville’s two. The Courage had some good looks but finally jumped in front in the 73’ when Tyler Lussi had her first shot saved but was able to muscle home the loose ball off the rebound. The goal was the third of the season for Lussi, all of which have proven to be game-winners. For Lussi’s career, her team is undefeated when she scores. The Courage had a few more chances to add breathing room, including a brilliant run by Olivia Wingate inside the final 10 minutes, but her shot was deflected away at the last moment after maneuvering past a pair of defenders. The one goal would prove to be enough as North Carolina improved to 8-0-0 lifetime against Louisville.
Match Notes
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The Courage have won three straight regular season matches and four straight overall
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The Courage passed with 81.5% accuracy, the ninth time in 13 league games over 80%
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The Courage have not been scored on in 352 game minutes, the longest streak in the NWSL this season.
Next Match: The North Carolina Courage wrap up their three-match home stand when they host the Houston Dash on Saturday, July 1, at 7:30 p.m. ET at WakeMed Soccer Park. The match will air regionally on Bally Sports South and the Bally App, stream across the United States on Paramount+ and internationally on nwslsoccer.com.
Box Score:
NCC (4-3-3): Casey Murphy, Emily Fox, Malia Berkely, Kaleigh Kurtz, Ryan Williams, Narumi Miura, Denise O’Sullivan ©, Mille Gejl Jensen (59’ – Olivia Wingate), Meredith Speck (41’ – Rikke Madsen), Kerolin, Tess Boade (59’ –Tyler Lussi)
Subs Not Used: Katelyn Rowland, Frankie Tagliaferri, Kiki Pickett, Haley Hopkins, Brittany Ratcliffe, Brianna Pinto
LOU (4-4-2): Katie Lund, Carson Pickett, Abby Erceg, Elli Pikkujämsä, Lauren Milliet, Savannah DeMelo, Jaelin Howell ©, Ary Borges (78’ – Jordan Baggett), Thembi Kgatlana (61’ – Paige Monaghan) , Kirsten Davis (61’ – Parker Goins), Wang Shuang (61’ – Uchenna Kanu)
Subs Not Used: Julia Lester, Zaneta Wyne, Olivia Sekany, Kayla Fischer, Rebecca Holloway
Score:
NCC: 1
LOU: 0
Goals:
NCC: T. Lussi – 73’
LOU:
Cautions:
NCC: K. Nicoli – 90+2’
LOU: T. Kgatlana – 46’, J. Howell – 56’, P. Monaghan – 81’
Ejections:
NCC: –
LOU: –
