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NWSL North Carolina Courage

Courage Survive Powerful Portland in 3-3 Draw

by Fran Stuchbury
May 8, 2023 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
North Carolina Courage


North Carolina Courage vs. the Portland Thorns at WakeMed Soccer Park
North Carolina Courage vs. the Portland Thorns at WakeMed Soccer Park
(North Carolina Courage, Credit: Fran Stuchbury)

The North Carolina Courage played to a 3-3 tie against the Portland Thorns in front of 7,070 fans at WakeMed Soccer Park Saturday evening. It was the fifth-largest NWSL regular season attendance in club history.

"I thought it was a great show for the fans. If we are going have shows like that in front of that crowd, it gets people back," said North Carolina Courage head coach Sean Nahas. "I felt the first half we were all over the place; we were still up a goal. The Portland Thorns are loaded top to bottom. I think what it does (show) that we can play with teams. A lot of people probably doubted us before the season. The only people that didn't doubt us were the people in our locker room. Tonight our players gained a lot of fans. Hopefully now our players believe we can play with the best teams in the league."

It was the first time the Courage scored multiple goals in a game since September 24, 2022, but they gave up three goals which they hadn't done all season.

The Courage got off to a fast start when Ryan Williams drove toward the end line and sent a cross that deflected off a Portland player and into the net for an own goal a scant 33 seconds into the game. It was the fastest goal in club history and tied for fourth-fastest in league history.

The Portland Thorns evened the score in the 22nd minute on a goal by midfielder Crystal Dunn, assisted by forward Sophia Smith for her league leading fifth of the season. Dunn was the first overall pick in the 2014 NWSL Draft by the Washington Spirit. In 2018 she was traded to the North Carolina Courage where she won a NWSL Championship that season. On October 22, 2020 she was traded to OL Reign for Casey Murphy and $140,000 in allocation money. Later that day she was traded to the Thorns for an international roster spot, a 2022 first round pick and $250,000 in allocation money.

The Courage took the lead again in the 23rd minute on a score by forward Kerolin Nicoli, her third goal of the NWSL season.

In the second half the Thorns leveled again, this time in the 52nd minute with the second goal of the game by Crystal Dunn, her fourth of the season.

The Courage grabbed a 3-2 lead in the 71st minute on a goal by newcomer Victoria Pickett, her first for the Courage just one week after joining the team. She entered the game for the Courage in the 56th minute.

Pickett was the second round pick in the 2021 NWSL Draft by the Kansas City Current. On August 22, 2022 Kansas City traded her to NJ/NY Gotham FC in exchange for $200,000 in allocation money and a first-round draft pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft. On April 27th, NJ/NY sent Pickett to North Carolina in exchange for $200,000 in allocation money.

Nahas wasn't surprised she made an immediate impact.

"Nope, that's why I wanted her for two years," he said. "I think she's a class player. I think she hasn't been given the opportunities she deserves. I was really thrilled she scored tonight coming off the bench. It will help her settle down a little bit and help her grow."

The Thorns tied the game at 3-3 in the 83rd minute on a score by midfielder Oliva Moultrie, who came into the game in the 67th minute for Christine Sinclair.

Moultrie in 2021 became the youngest player to play an NWSL regular-season game at age 15.

"I don't believe in moral victories," Nahas added. "I believe it's a draw. Whether we won 3-2, we lost 3-2, or drew 3-3 we have to get better tomorrow. We can be happy with it, but I saw disappointment in our players faces and that was awesome for me. I don't want them to be satisfied. I believe in growth and we are going to continue to do that."

Courage team captain Denise O'Sullivan reached 10,000 NWSL regular season minutes in the 56th minute of the game.

North Carolina's next game is at home on Sunday, May 14th at 3 pm against OL Reign.

Check out the North Carolina Courage Statistics




Images from this story

North Carolina Courage vs. the Portland Thorns at WakeMed Soccer Park
North Carolina Courage vs. the Portland Thorns at WakeMed Soccer Park
(Fran Stuchbury)		   



National Women's Soccer League Stories from May 8, 2023


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