May 7, 2022 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – North Carolina Courage News Release
CARY, NC – The North Carolina Courage defeated the visiting Washington Spirit, 2-1, at home on Saturday to win the 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup Championship. The match featured goals by Courage striker and Challenge Cup Championship MVP, Kerolin Nicoli, along with Spirit forward Ashley Hatch and an own goal by Spirit defender Taylor Aylmer to give the Courage the win in the 70th minute.
Ten minutes into the match, the Courage found the lead early with a goal from Kerolin, set up by a driving run in by Debinha through the midfield. Debinha slotted a ball in at the top of the 18 yard box, splitting the Washington defense, and landing on the run of Kerolin. The Brazilian striker placed the ball past the reach of Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury and into the lower left corner of the goal to give the Courage the 1-0 lead.
“She’s different,” Head Coach Sean Nahas said of Kerolin. “She’s going to be one of the best players in the league, she’s a quality player. The best part to me is that [her skill] is not just on the attacking side, but she defends so well, she works so hard, and she’s bought in. She loves this team and we love her, and she’s only going to get better as she gets more comfortable. She’s going to have to adjust once teams figure her out, but I’m sure she will.”
With 10 minutes remaining in the half, Spirit striker Ashley Hatch scored a goal to equalize. Hatch received a slotted pass from Trinity Rodman onto her run in the box, placing a shot across the face of the goal and into the lower left-hand corner of the net to tie the match 1-1.
The winning Courage goal occurred in the 70th minute, set up by a corner from defender Carson Pickett who sent a lofted ball into the far post. Diana Ordoñez challenged the initial ball, sending a shot in which deflected off Spirit defender Taylor Aylmer and into the back of the net, tallied as an own goal by the Spirit.
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