NC Courage vs Washington Spirit (photo credit Victoria Klum).
Cary, N.C- Last night at WakeMed Soccer Park, 5,866 spectators watched the North Carolina Courage mark their eighth victory against the Washington Spirit, where they remain losses in the season, holding a 6-0-2 record.
Within the third minute of play, Courage midfielder Sam Mewis passed the ball to forward Crystal Dunn as she cut the ball from the Courage defense and took the shot on goal, but was then deflected by goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe, in goal for the second time this season.
The Courage continued to place the ball on the goal, but Washington’s Bledsoe was on her feet and prepared for what came her way. Although the Spirit were in the offensive mode, they remained strong and didn’t let down their guard.
An opportunity for the Spirit came in the 35th minute when forward Mallory Pugh made a run towards the goal but was then thrown off by Courage goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland as she dived for the ball to interfere with Pugh’s shot.
NC Courage vs Washington Spirit (photo credit Victoria Klum).
At the half mark, North Carolina made ten shots on goal compared to Washington’s four on target.
Defender Jaelene Hinkle took the free kick for North Carolina in the 62nd minute and defender Abby Erceg marked herself near the front of the goal post and made a quick header that hit the back of the net to advance the Courage 1-0. Erceg not only set up the Courage to be in the lead, but marked her first goal of the season.
“I thought it was a really good performance,” Courage head coach Paul Riley said. “I thought we dominated the game. The midfield was very, very good, and I think having Sam [Mewis] back helps us a lot.”
Mewis played a vital role in the match having earned her second start of the year with a total of 68 touches. North Carolina had a 52.7 percentage of ball possession and the Spirit had a possession percentage of 47.3 in the match.
The North Carolina Courage will hit the road to play Sky Blue FC, who have a 0-4-1 record at Yurcak Field next Saturday, May 19th with the kickoff taking place at 7:00 p.m. ET.
SCORING SUMMARY:
NC-Abby Erceg, 63’
Assisted by Jalene Hinkle
BOOKING SUMMARY:
WAS-Francisca Ordega, yellow card, 38’
NC COURAGE: #100-Katwlyn Rowland, , #15-Jalene Hinkle, #6-Abby Erceg, #13-Abby Dahlkemper, #11-Merritt Mathias, #5-Samantha Mewis, #8-Denise O’Sullivan, #7-McCall Zerboni, #10-Débora Cristiane De Oliveria (#25-Meredith Speck, 89’), #14-Jessica McDonald ( #21-Darian Jenkins, 83’), #19-Crystal Alyssia Dunn (#23-Kristen Hamilton, 50’)
Subs not used: #1-Sabrina D’Angelo, #4-Elizabeth Eddy, #31-Kaleigh Kurtz, #16-Cari Roccaro
WASHINGTON SPIRIT: #1-Aubrey Bedsoe, #3-Caprice Dydasco, #5-Whitney Church, #4-Rebecca Quinn, #7-Tylor Smith, #6-Andi Sullivan, #23-Tori Huster (#12-Morgan Proffitt, 83’), #10-Estefanía Romina Banini Ruiz (#8-Maggie Dougherty Howard, 59’), #14-Francisca Ordega (#9-Havana Solaun, 46’), #33-Ashley Hatch, #11-Mallory Pugh
Subs not used: #17-Cali Farquharson, #21-Didi Haracic, #24-Estelle Johnson, #15-Joanna Lohman
TOTAL SHOTS: NC 18-9 WAS
SHOTS ON GOAL: NC 6-3 WAS
FOULS: NC 10-12 WAS
OFFSIDES: NC 5-0 WAS
CORNER KICKS: NC 4-2 WAS
SAVES: NC 3-5 WAS
