by Fran Stuchbury
March 26, 2023 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – North Carolina Courage
Writer Fran Stuchbury and North Carolina Courage mascot Roary
(North Carolina Courage, Credit: Fran Stuchbury)
The North Carolina Courage opened the 2023 National Women’s Soccer League season with a 1-0 home victory over the Kansas City Current in front of 4,948 fans at WakeMed Soccer Park Saturday afternoon.
“It was a gutsy three points,” said North Carolina Courage head coach Sean Nahas. “We had some really good spells in what we were doing, and then second half I thought we dropped off a bit, which is normal. Thought we had several, several quality chances. Thought we could maybe put the game away, but young players are going to learn.”
The Current had several key players out with injuries including midfielders Debinha, Morgan Gautrat and Vanessa DiBernardo, defender Hanna Glas and forward Kristen Hamilton.
The only score of the game took place in the 26th minute by Courage forward Millie Gejl, her first goal in the the National Women’s Soccer League.
“I was really happy to get my first goal in the league and help the team get the three points,” said Gejl. “I thought we played a good game with some sloppy moments, but overall a good game.”
Gejl plays for the Denmark National team and signed a two-year deal to play for the North Carolina Courage in January.
Coach Nahas added, “I told Mille right before the game, she is a confidence person. When you get the ball wide, I only have one thought, ‘I want you to dictate where they defend. I want you to run out and get them on their heels and if the space inside opens up you are going have acres of space and she did it.'”
“Coming out and playing well, getting our first win was a sign for our whole season,” Courage defender Ryan Williams said. “We want to get better every day.”
Courage fans were loud and passionate throughout the game. “There’s no doubt how much the team wants to play for them,” said coach Nahas. “I think when we have a good crowd they get a second lift like any home team would. I said this the other day at my press conference, I want our fans not to be fans of individual players but supporters of the club. We have to do our part as well, but we support the players no matter what. There is nothing that makes this team happier than walking out of the tunnel and seeing the fans and the kids. They want to represent this area and they did. “