May 6, 2023 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – North Carolina Courage News Release
CARY, N.C. – The North Carolina Courage took three leads, but could not hold off the Portland Thorns as the teams played to a 3-3 draw Saturday night at WakeMed Soccer Park. The match was played in front of 7,070 fans, the fifth-largest NWSL regular season attendance in club history.
With the park rocking, the Courage wasted no time in giving the fans something to cheer about. Just 33 seconds into play, Ryan Williams drove toward the end line and sent a cross that deflected off a Portland player and into the net, giving the Courage the lead on the fastest goal scored in club history and tied for fourth-fastest in league history.
Portland answered 20 minutes later when Sophia Smith found Crystal Dunn in the box for a one-time redirect. Just two minutes later, Kerolin Nicoli sent a long-range curler off the inside of the post and past Bella Bixby to put the Courage back in front. It was the third goal of the year for Kerolin. Portland would again tie things up with a cross in for Dunn in the 52′.
A pair of newcomers combined to once again give the Courage an advantage with 20 minutes left in the match. Olivia Wingate made an incredible run up the right wing and cut inside the defense towards the box, then dropped a perfect lay-off to Victoria Pickett, who scored her first goal for the Courage just one week after joining the team.
A heavy challenge cost the Courage possession at midfield, with the large crowd bellowing for a foul that never came, and Olivia Moultrie was able to take advantage for a strike from outside the box to once again level things for the visitors. VAR did review the play for a possible foul, but did not overturn the call.
Match Notes:
Denise O’Sullivan reached 10,000 NWSL regular season minutes in the 56′
The Courage scored multiple goals for the first time since September 24, 2022
Casey Murphy made seven saves on the night, two shy of her single-game record
Next Match: The North Carolina Courage host OL Reign on Sunday, May 14, at 3:00 p.m. ET at WakeMed Soccer Park. The game will stream live on Paramount+ and tickets can be purchased here.
Box Score:
NCC (4-3-3): Casey Murphy, Ryan Williams, Kaleigh Kurtz, Malia Berkely, Emily Fox, Denise O’Sullivan ©, Meredith Speck (Victoria Pickett – 54′), Narumi, Kerolin Nicoli, Rikke Madsen (Olivia Wingate – 54′), Tyler Lussi (Mille Gejl – 88′)
Subs Not Used: Katelyn Rowland, Haley Hopkins, Millie Farrow, Kiki…