August 14, 2022 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – North Carolina Courage News Release
CARY, NC – The North Carolina Courage were a dynamic force in Saturday’s match against the Kansas City Current, but came up just short in the waning minutes of the game, falling 4-3. Diana Ordoñez, Debinha and Kaleigh Kurtz scored for the Courage, while Kristen Hamilton, Lo’eau LaBonta, CeCe Kizer and Claire Lavogez each netted goals for the Current.
The back-and-forth started immediately, with both the Courage and Current jumping to offensive action. Ultimately, the Courage struck first in the 17th minute, with rookie Diana Ordoñez scoring her eighth goal of the season and locking in the all-time NWSL regular-season rookie scoring record. The goal also extended her scoring streak to three games. Just three minutes later, the Current’s Kristen Hamilton tied it up, sending a shot past Courage keeper Casey Murphy off a corner kick.
Looking for a goal of her own, Debinha capitalized in the 36th minute on a perfect ball in from fellow Brazilian Kerolin Nicoli. Before the clock could run out on the first half, Lo’eau LaBonta would pull the Current even once more.
Back for more in the second half, the Courage again struck first in the 56th minute – this time with a ball in from midfielder Brianna Pinto to defender Kaleigh Kurtz, who buried her third goal of the season. And, again, the Current’s CeCe Kizer pulled the visitors even just four minutes later.
In the end, it was Kansas City’s Claire Lavogez who would make the difference, netting a rocket of a goal to seal the deal for the Current.
Up Next: The North Carolina Courage will return to action at WakeMed Soccer Park as they host the Chicago Red Stars on Saturday, August 20 at 7 p.m. ET. Tickets are available here, and the match will be available to stream on Paramount+ and Twitch (internationally).
Box Score:
NC (4-5-1): Casey Murphy, Carson Pickett (Jaelene Daniels – 83′), Abby Erceg, Kaleigh Kurtz, Ryan Williams (Merritt Mathias – 75′), Denise O’Sullivan, Brianna Pinto (Brittany Ratcliffe – 83′), Debinha, Meredith Speck (Fuka Nagano – 65′), Kerolin Nicoli, Diana Ordoñez
Subs Not Used: Katelyn Rowland, Malia Berkely, Katie Bowen, Kiki Pickett, Rylee Baisden
KC (3-5-2): AD Franch, Alex Loera, Elizabeth Ball, Kristen Edmonds, Hailie Mace (Taylor Leach – 90+4′), Kate Del Fava (Addisyn Merrick – 73′), Desiree Scott, Lo’eau LaBonta (Chardonnay Curran – 73′), Victoria Pickett (Claire Lavogez – 46′), Kristen Hamilton,…