July 11, 2022 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – North Carolina Courage News Release
CHICAGO, IL – The North Carolina Courage came out strong against the Chicago Red Stars Sunday evening at SeatGeek Stadium, but two late goals from the home side ended the match in a 2-2 draw. The match featured goals from defender Carson Pickett and forward Brittany Ratcliffe.
“It was a tale of two halves and inconsistencies in many ways,” Head Coach Sean Nahas said. “We had some really good moments … The effort was there, the fight was there, the level of competition was there. Going up 2-0 was great, you know we’re still piecing things together here and there. It’s disappointing to drop two points.”
The Courage dominated the first 15 minutes of the match, with consistent presses in the attacking third. Finally, in the 22nd minute, defender Carson Pickett broke the ice scoring her first ever NWSL goal. With an assist from midfielder Meredith Speck (her first of the season), Pickett capped off a career week adding her goal to her first USWNT full-team cap.
After 45 minutes, the Courage entered the intermission on top and came out looking for their second goal. It wouldn’t take long for them to find it, as Brittany Ratcliffe netted her first of the season in just the 48th minute. Merritt Mathias sent a well-placed cross right to the feet of Ratcliffe, who tapped the ball right in.
“Merritt is always working on her crosses after practice, so I knew when I saw her on it, I thought ‘this ball for sure is getting in the box,’ Ratcliffe said. “She hits them with so much power that literally all I had to do was get the side of my foot on it. It was a perfect ball, so I just stuck my leg out and it went far post and went in. And then I screamed in her face.”
Though the Red Stars would come back late to seal the draw behind goals from Sarah Griffith and Amanda Kowalski, the match wasn’t without its milestones and moments.
Aside from Carson Pickett’s first career NWSL goal, defender and captain Abby Erceg played her 100th career Courage game. Erceg has recorded six goals and four assists in that span and has solidified herself as one of the best defenders in the history of the league.
The match also saw Frankie Tagliaferri’s second straight start, Brittany Ratcliffe’s first start of the season, Valerie Gauvin’s first rostered game, and Katie Bowen’s first appearance for the Courage.
“I think when it comes down to it – what at least I know – every player on this team is…