April 16, 2022 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – North Carolina Courage News Release
CARY, NC – The North Carolina Courage continued their undefeated streak in Challenge Cup play, defeating the Orlando Pride on Saturday night, 4-2. The Courage further solidified their position in first place in the East Division, with eleven points and a record of 3-0-2. In the event that the Washington Spirit and NJ/NY Gotham FC draw in their match on Sunday, the Courage will clinch the first place spot in the division.
Filled with early action, the match featured three Courage goals in the first ten minutes, the first coming in the form of an own goal by Orlando. The play began with Courage defender, Merritt Mathias driving towards the endline and sending a cross in towards the run of Jaelene Daniels near the face of the goal. In an effort to block Daniel’s shot, Pride defender Megan Montefusco deflected the ball into the net for an Orlando own goal, giving the Courage the early lead in the third minute.
Three minutes later, Taylor Smith sent a cross in from the right flank, into a nearly identical run by Daniels, who tapped in a shot while under the pressure of two defenders, doubling the Courage lead. The Courage added a third just three minutes later, with a driven shot by Smith in the box to put the Courage up by three before the 10th minute of the match.
With that third goal, the Courage became the sole NWSL record holders for the fastest team to score three goals from kickoff in all competitions, a record previously set just this past Thursday by the OL Reign.
Setting up Smith’s goal was Courage newcomer Kiki Pickett, who has been slotted in a new position from where she’s typically played.
“I’ve played fullback most of my career, so playing the number 10 has been a big switch for me,” Kiki Pickett said. “But wherever I am put on the field, I am going to give my 110% effort. I may not always know exactly what I am doing, but I am going to give you everything I…