Sandy, U.T- While on the road, the North Carolina Courage recorded their first victory over the Utah Royals this season. The Royals scored an early goal, but the Courage came back to top them 2-1.
In the ninth minute of the match, forward Christen Press opened up the gates of victory for the Royals. Press was at the top of the box and while a Courage defender was covering her, she shot the ball on goal to score against Courage goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe.
It took a bit for the Courage to regather, but they found it in the 35’ minute with an assist from World Cup Champion Sam Mewis. Mewis sent a long ball to Kristen Hamilton at the top of the box and with the ball in the air, Hamilton delivered the shot to the left side of the net to score the equalizer.
With the score tied 1-1, both sides were now back at square one. The Royals saw some attempts on goal, but they were saved by Labbe, who made six saves in total. One minute of stoppage time was added on until the first half came to an end.
When the teams resumed play for the second half, the Courage were once again working their way to the goal. Hamilton had another key play in this match as she fought for the ball with the Royals defenders and maintained control of it.
Forward Jess McDonald was sitting on the right side of the box, fully open and Hamilton made the pass to McDonald, who scored the go-ahead goal to put the Courage up 2-1. This goal marked a new record for McDonald as she’s now scored against every current and folded team within the NWSL (except for the Courage).
The Royals will prepare for the next match on the road as they face the Chicago Red Stars on Saturday, Aug. 3 at 5:00 pm PST.
SCORING SUMMARY:
UTA-Christen Press, 9’
NC-Kristen Hamilton, 35’ (Assisted by: Samantha Mewis)
NC-Jessica McDonald, 54’ (Assisted by: Kristen Hamilton)
BOOKING SUMMARY:
NONE
UTAH ROYALS: #18-Nicole Barnhart, #5-Kelley O’Hara, #4-Becky Sauerbrunn, #2-Rachel Corsie, #6-Katie Bowen (#20-Mallory Weber, 81’), #9-Lo’eau Labonta (#15-Erika Tymrak, 87’), #11-Desiree Scott, #66-Gunnhildur Yrsa Jonsdottir (#24-Katie Stengel, 72’), #21-Veronica Boquete Giadans, #23-Christen Press, #8-Amy Rodriguez
Subs not used: #13-Makenzy Doniak, #17-Sydney Miramontez, #1-Abby Smith, #14-Gaby Vincent
NORTH CAROLINA COURAGE: #1-Stephanie Labbe, #15-Jalene Hinkle, #6-Abby Erceg, #13-Abby Dahlkemper, #11-Merritt Mathias, #19-Crystal Dunn, #5-Samantha Mewis, #8-Debora Cristiane De Oliveria (#25-Meredith Speck, 87’), #14-Jessica McDonald (#7-McCall Zerboni, 80’), #23-Kristen Hamilton, (#12-Leah Pruitt, 90+1’)
Subs not used: #3-Kaleigh Kurtz, #21-Cari Roccaro, #99-Katelyn Rowland, #16-Julia Spetsmark
TOTAL SHOTS: UTA 12-16 NC
SHOTS ON GOAL: UTA 7-5 NC
FOULS: UTA 8-12 NC
OFFSIDES: UTA 4-0 NC
Utah Royals
NC Courage
