Midfielder Beverly Yanez, seen here in last season’s match against the NC Courage, played 90 minutes last in the Reign’s 1-0 loss to the NC Courage (photo credit: Matt Ferris)
Seattle Reign FC 0-North Carolina Courage 1
Cary, N.C- The top two teams in the NWSL gathered at WakeMed Soccer Park as the North Carolina Courage welcomed the Seattle Reign on their turf for Week 4. The Reign took their first loss of the season against the Courage and now stand 2-1-0 where North Carolina dominates first place with 4-0-0 standing.
The Courage made their mark early on in the match as Reign goalkeeper Michelle Betos sent off a goal kick and was headed and then received by the NWSL leading goal scorer Jessica McDonald, who went for the shot, but was quickly cleared by the Reign defense.
McDonald had several opportunities on goal and within the first half the Courage had seven shots while the Reign had three, but both teams still sought for more action. By the half, the score remained 0-0.
Forward Jasmyne Spencer was subbed in the 67th minute and came out and put intense pressure on the Courage. Two minutes later, Spencer had possession of the ball and while in the box she crossed the ball from the left side to the center of the goal. Although it was an open opportunity, there was no finish from the Reign to take the lead.
In the 74th minute, McDonald solidified her shot on the ball and received an easy pass and with her position being up the field by Seattle’s backline, McDonald controlled the ball from the bounces and came to face the goalkeeper and shot with her right foot to the back of the net to give the Courage their 1-0 victory. McDonald scored her 37th NWSL career goal and her second goal of the season.
“The second half was a great second half. We created three or four wide open breakaways, and we kept everybody here in their seats until the end as we do normally,” said NC Courage Head Coach Paul Riley. “The first half was ok… but the second half was really really good.”
The Courage remain in first place with 12 points and will face the Utah Royals this Saturday at 3:30 p.m E.T at WakeMed field before they travel on the road for their upcoming matches.
SCORING SUMMARY:
NC-Jessica McDonald, 70’
BOOKING SUMMARY:
NC-Kristen Hamilton, 14’
NC COURAGE: #1-Sabrina D’Angelo, #15-Jalene Hinkle, #6-Abby Erceg, #31-Kaleigh Kurtz, #11-Merritt Mathias, #23-Kristen Hamilton (#5-Samantha Mewis,73’), #8-Denise O’Sullivan, #7-McCall Zerboni, #19-Crystal Dunn, #9-Lynn Williams, #14-Jessica McDonald (#21-Darian Jenkins, 79’)
Subs not used: #12-Frannie Crouse, #4-Elizabeth Eddy, #16-Cari Roccaro, #99-Katelyn Rowland, #25-Meredith Speck
SEATTLE REIGN: #18-Michelle Betos, #21-Christen Westphal (#3-Lauren Barnes, 18’), #2-Yael Averbuch, #4-Megan Oyster, #8-Theresa Nielsen, #6-Allie Long, #10-Jess Fishlock, #5-Kiersten Dallstream (#22-Jasmyne Spencer, 67’), #12-Morgan Andrews (#11-Elizabeth Addo, 73’), #17-Beverly Yanez, #14-Jodie Taylor
Subs not used: #26-Maddie Bauer, #38-Adelaide Gay, #19-Kristen McNabb
TOTAL SHOTS: NC 22-5 SEA
SHOTS ON GOAL: NC 5-1 SEA
FOULS: NC 11-9 SEA
OFFSIDES: NC 3-5 SEA
CORNER KICKS: NC 6-1 SEA
SAVES: NC 1-4 SEA
North Carolina Courage
Seattle Reign FC 882
