NWSL North Carolina Courage

Courage Gets the Best of Louisville again with 1-0 Victory

by Fran Stuchbury
Published on June 26, 2023 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
North Carolina Courage


North Carolina Courage take on Racing Louisville FC
North Carolina Courage take on Racing Louisville FC
(North Carolina Courage)

The North Carolina Courage extended its winning streak to three straight league games with a 1-0 victory over Racing Louisville FC in front of 4,041 fans WakeMed Soccer Park Saturday night.

The Courage moved its record to 4-1-1 their last six games and improved to a perfect 8-0 all time against Louisville. North Carolina has not been scored upon in 352 game minutes, the longest streak in the NWSL this season.

"A massive three points; it's a tale of two halves for us," said Courage Head Coach Nahas. "We weren't ourselves in the first half; I felt we were rally flat. The passes we made to pass the ball were just passes. We ended up being a little bit impatient. There was a massive challenge at halftime.

"The players responded really well in the second half. I was really proud of our young group's effort to step on the field, make a difference and get three points and learn sometimes you have to grind it out."

The lone goal of the game came in the 73rd minute by North Carolina forward Tyler Lussi, knocking in a rebound. It was her third goal of the season. Lussi entered the game in the 59th minute replacing Tess Boade.

"Defender Ryan Williams was streaking down the line, played a great ball across," said Lussi. "(I) tried to get in front of the defender, got one hit off, then tried to get another shot off. The goalie blocked it, then finally got the third one off and it went in the back of the net. I was really pumped and excited; just want to help my team get the win."

"I had a really good conversation with Tyler today because she went from being a starter to rotating out," Nahas added. "What we told her was, be ready when your name is called, and she was ready. She's a true professional and goes to show the people we have in our locker room."

Lussi credited the crowd with giving the team a lift.

"We love (our) fans," she said. "It honestly is the 12th person on the field for us. We want fans coming to every single home game and away game. When the crowd starts getting loud and energetic, with constant cheering and noise for us, it fuels us so much more. It's that energy boost, and we want that more and more every single game. This teams deserves that."

Courage goalkeeper Casey Murphy recorded her seventh clean sheet, becoming the youngest keeper in National Women's Soccer League history to reach 30 clean sheets for her career. She has been named to the United States National Women's Team World Cup roster.

"I didn't even know where I was with that, but that's pretty cool news," said Murphy. "Luckily I had some solid defenders help me get there. A total team effort when it comes to shut outs. I appreciate all the work that goes in getting behind balls and blocking shots, blocking crosses. Whenever they need me I'll be there to clean things up."

"With the training here I have with the Courage, (it's) really prepared me to put on performances this summer on the biggest stage," Murphy added.

"It's everything, it's comfort; the backline knows she's behind us," Nahas added. "She's getting better with her feet, too, which helps us in possession. She manages the game well."

North Carolina's next game is at home on Saturday, July 1st against the Houston Dash at 7:30 pm.

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Images from this story

A rainbow over WakeMed Soccer Park
A rainbow over WakeMed Soccer Park
 North Carolina Courage take on Racing Louisville FC
North Carolina Courage take on Racing Louisville FC
 North Carolina Courage take on Racing Louisville FC
North Carolina Courage take on Racing Louisville FC



National Women's Soccer League Stories from June 26, 2023


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