April 15, 2023 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – North Carolina Courage News Release
North Carolina Courage on game night
(North Carolina Courage, Credit: Lewis Gettier/NC Courage)
CARY, N.C. – The North Carolina Courage fell to the Washington Spirit, 2-1, Saturday night in front of 5,160 fans at WakeMed Soccer Park. The Courage drop to 1-2-0 on the season while Washington improves to 2-0-1 on the year.
The Courage fell behind very early after a giveaway in the defensive third left Trinity Rodman alone in the box and she buried the chance to put the visitors ahead in just the sixth minute. The Courage responded extremely well, building several immediate chances.
They broke through with the equalizer just before half time when a brilliant combination got Mille Gejl a good look from just outside the box. She blistered a shot that forced a handball in the box and the penalty was converted by Kerolin Nicoli for her second goal in as many matches.
Shortly after the halftime break, the whistle went the other way when Emily Fox was whistled for a foul in the box despite boisterous protest from the Courage bench and faithful. Ashley Hatch converted the penalty for what would be the game-winner in the 49′. The Courage dominated possession to the tune of 67%, out-shot the Spirit 13-5 and had four corner kicks to none for the Spirit. With 10 minutes of added time in the second half, the Courage peppered the Spirit back line with crosses and chances but could not find the combination to bring the match back level.
Quoting the Courage:
Head Coach Sean Nahas
“I thought it was good performance from the group to be fair. We had some moments of adversity and felt we had good moments and spells and possession. I thought, especially in the second half, some of the adjustments we made in the spaces we found created some good chances in the latter part of that half. But, you know, can’t be naive to think it’s just going to come easy. We have to find ways to put those in the back of the net and those are the learning moments that we’re going to have to go through. I was overall pleased with the team performance, just disappointed for them to not get a result.”
“I thought the first 10 minutes we were good and then they got us spelled and then we gave up the goal and we looked like we were in shock. Much like San Diego, we looked like we were in shock. I was wondering about their, their character. And I challenged that, not in a negative way, but say, you know, respond…