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NWSL North Carolina Courage

Courage Punch Ticket to Challenge Cup Semifinals

by Fran Stuchbury
April 25, 2022 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
North Carolina Courage


North Carolina Courage battle the Washington Spirit
North Carolina Courage battle the Washington Spirit
(North Carolina Courage, Credit: Fran Stuchbury)

The North Carolina Courage clinched a berth to the NWSL Challenge Cup semifinals with a 2-2 draw against the Washington Spirit at home at WakeMed Soccer Park on Saturday. The game was televised nationally on CBS.

"I told the players each week we had to learn something new," said North Carolina Courage Head Coach Sean Nahas. "Today we had to learn to compete from being behind; we haven't been behind all season.

"I'm really proud of the players, they put the work in and all credit goes to them."

The Washington Spirit opened the scoring in the 15th minute on a goal by forward Ashley Hatch. Hatch was the second overall pick in the 2017 NWSL College Draft by the North Carolina Courage. In January of 2018 she was traded to Washington with teammate Taylor Smith for Crystal Dunn's rights. Hatch is the Spirit's all-time leading goal-scorer.

The Courage tied the game in extra time at the end of the first half with a penalty kick by Debinha. With that score she became the first and only player in Challenge Cup history to score a goal in four consecutive matches during the tournament.

Debinha has been a member of the Courage since its first season in the NWSL in 2017 and has been a member of the Brazil National team since 2011.

The Courage surged ahead in the second half with a goal scored by midfielder Malia Berkley, her first ever NWSL goal.

"I saw (Washington's) center back was looking to play their midfielder," Berkely said of her goal. "I knew that I could jump on that pass, and I just think that I read it pretty well. Since (Washington) were in a big attacking shape, I had that opening in the middle, and I had forward Taylor Smith on the right if I needed to. I knew that it was a great opportunity for a shot and so I took it."

Berkley added "I think especially for the fans of women's soccer it is a great game to watch; as far as being part of, North Carolina has historically been a great team. We got a lot of new faces and we are working through a lot of things, and the Washington Spirit have been a good team. They have a lot of big names."

On December 16, 2021 the Courage signed Berkley to a two-year contract following a transfer agreement with FC Girondins de Bordeaux that involved allocation money. Berkley played at Florida State and was also named ACC Defensive Player of the Year in 2019 and 2020.

The Courage had the opportunity in the 71st minute to extend their lead to 3-1 but Debinha's second attempt to convert was saved by Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury.

The Spirit tied the game in the 76th minute with a penalty kick goal by forward Ashley Hatch, her second score of the game.

The Courage finished 3-0-3 for 12 points and first place in the NWSL East Division in Challenge Cup Play.

North Carolina will travel to face Angel City FC in their first regular season match of the year on Friday, April 29, at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles, California.

They will play May 3rd against an opponent to be determined in the NWSL Challenge Cup Semifinal.

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North Carolina Courage battle the Washington Spirit
North Carolina Courage battle the Washington Spirit
(Fran Stuchbury)		   



National Women's Soccer League Stories from April 25, 2022


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