March 23, 2024 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – North Carolina Courage News Release
North Carolina Courage and the Utah Royals FC on game night
(North Carolina Courage)
SANDY, Utah – The North Carolina Courage fell to the Utah Royals, 2-1, Friday night at America First Field. Despite a statistically dominant performance, the Courage suffered their first loss of the season.
The Courage held 67.3% of the possession and outshot Utah 17-2, but could not find an equalizer in the second half after a 15-minute flurry of goals before the break.
The Royals struck first as Kate Del Fava headed home a Paige Monaghan corner at the far post in the 15′.
The lead was short lived, however, with Ashley Sanchez pouncing on a poor clearance to open her scoring account in a Courage jersey in the 26′. Haley Hopkins played a hard-hit cross along the ground on the edge of the six-yard box that proved too hot to handle for the Utah defender, with the attempted clearance popping up in the air perfectly for Sanchez to hit on the volley and loop over Mandy Haught.
2024 first overall draft pick Ally Sentnor restored the Royals’ lead in the 30′, finding the top corner of the net with a cross-body shot from just inside the box.
Utah seemed to double its lead in the 54′ off a scrappy corner, but the referee’s whistle for a handball denied the Royals a third goal.
The Courage were poised retie the game just before the hour mark after Denise O’Sullivan was brought down in the box and the referee signaled for a penalty.
Malia Berkely, who scored from the spot in the Courage season opener, stepped up to take the penalty but hit the post. Ashley Sanchez charged to the rebound and was brought down by Addisyn Merrick, leading to the referee pointing to the spot for the second time in as many minutes.
Berkely stepped up once again, but the center back’s shot was saved by Haught.
The Courage built several chances throughout the second half, but Utah’s compact shape was just enough to prevent an equalizer.
Next Up
The Courage will return home to take on reigning NWSL champions NJ/NY Gotham FC on Saturday, March 30, at 7 p.m. ET. The game will be the team’s MVP Night, celebrating 2023 NWSL MVP Kerolin Nicoli.
Tickets are available for purchase here.
Match Notes
Ashley Sanchez scored her first goal in a Courage jersey in the 26′, looping a volley over the Utah goalkeeper.
Malia Berkely attempted two penalties in the span of two minutes, with the first hitting the post and the second being saved by…