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NWSL North Carolina Courage

Courage Forward Crystal Dunn and Defender Abby Erceg Headline the NWSL Team of the Month

May 3, 2019 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
North Carolina Courage News Release


CHICAGO - North Carolina Courage forward and April's Player of the Month Crystal Dunn leads the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) Team of the Month, presented by Cutter® Insect Repellent, voted by the NWSL Media Association for the month of April of the 2019 NWSL season. NC Courage defender Abby Erceg also made the Team of the Month after three stellar performances to start the season.

Dunn was voted NWSL Player of the Month and is joined by the three Players of the Week for the 2019 season: Portland Thorns FC forward Tobin Heath, Portland Thorns FC midfielder Christine Sinclair, and Chicago Red Stars midfielder Yuki Nagasato.

The Portland Thorns FC and Chicago Red Stars both led the way with three players each voted to the Team of the Month, followed by the North Carolina Courage and Utah Royals FC with two each and Sky Blue FC with one.

NWSL Team of the Month - April

GK - Kailen Sheriden, Sky Blue FC: The Canadian made 16 saves and seven clearances in three appearances to help Sky Blue earn a draw during the month. Sky Blue FC registered a 0-2-1 record and a76.2% success rate for saves.

D - Meghan Klingenberg, Portland Thorns FC: In three appearances during the month of April, Klingenberg was a key contributor playing 247 minutes and registering four tackles won, six clearances, six interceptions and 106 successful passes.

D - Abby Erceg, North Carolina Courage: Erceg enjoyed a strong overall performance in April as she helped the Courage achieve a 2-0-1 record and claim their spot at the top of the standings. She registered 17 clearances and 6 interceptions, while starting all three games and registering 270 minutes played.

D - Becky Sauerbrunn, Utah Royals FC: Sauerbrunn was a key figure for Utah as the club surged to a 2-0-0 record in April with shut-outs over the Washington Spirit and Orlando Pride. She also had 12 clearances, two interceptions and earned two blocks, while maintaining a 100% success rate for tackles.

D - Casey Short, Chicago Red Stars: Short scored one goal in two appearances for the Red Stars in April. She also had one block and three interceptions for the month to go along with one tackle won and three clearances.

M - Crystal Dunn, North Carolina Courage: The Player of the Month scored four goals in the first three matches to lead the North Carolina Courage to a league-best 2-0-1 record. The attacker took nine shots, had eight shots on target, had a conversion rate of 44% and a duel success rate of 59%.

M - Yuki Nagasato, Chicago Red Stars: Week Three's Player of the Week tallied three goals in as many games with a conversion rate of 75% and a pass success rate of 77%. She also won four out of six tackles and 16 out of 32 duels.

M - Christine Sinclair, Portland Thorns FC: Week Two's Player of the Week registered three goals and one assist in April and made contributions beyond the scoreboard as she notched two interceptions, two clearances and a 75% tackle success rate and 48% duel success rate.

F - Tobin Heath, Portland Thorns FC: Week One's Player of the Week turned in a steadfast performance in April with 71 successful passes, three interceptions, 24 duels won (out of 44) and two goals in three starts.

F - Sam Kerr, Chicago Red Stars: The Australian international had two goals in three appearances for the Red Stars in April. She took ten shots to go along with three tackles won, 18 duels won and 66 successful passes.

F - Christen Press, Utah Royals FC: Press tallied one goal and one assist in two games, in addition to one interception and a 77.4% pass success rate.

The NWSL will return to action tonight as the Utah Royals FC host the Chicago Red Stars at 9:30 p.m. ET. On Saturday, the Washington Spirit take on Reign FC at 7 p.m. ET while the North Carolina Courage host Sky Blue FC at the same time. The weekend action will wrap up later on Sunday with the Houston Dash hosting the Orlando Pride at 6 p.m. ET.

The NWSL Team of the Month is selected each month of the regular season by the NWSL Media Association, a collection of writers that cover the league on a consistent basis. For more information on the NWSL Media Association, follow them on Twitter.

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