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NWSL North Carolina Courage

Goals from Debinha and Pruitt Lead NC Courage Past Washington Spirit, 2-1

June 29, 2019 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
North Carolina Courage News Release


Boyds, MD - The North Carolina Courage were led by Debinha and Leah Pruitt in a 2-1 win over league-leading Washington Spirit. Debinha and Pruitt each scored their second goal of the season in the contest. Lynn Williams added an assist for her third of the season.

After a one-hour weather delay, the North Carolina Courage came out firing shots from all angles. In the first 10 minutes of the match, the team piled on five shots. Lynn Williams nearly missed in the eighth minute after Debinha managed to get her the ball in the box. Just two minutes later Jaelene Hinkle sent in a high floating shot that forced Aubrey Bledsoe to make a backpedaling save. The offensive pressure continued for the entire half.

In the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time, Debinha was pulled down from behind in the box, earning a penalty kick. The Brazilian who just returned from the World Cup, stepped up to take the penalty kick after having earned it. The initial shot was blocked by Bledsoe, but Debinha was able to put in the rebound.

The penalty kick was the first Debinha has attempted this season. The Brazilian's first goal of 2019 came against Houston on April 28 and was the NC Courage's 100th goal.

NC Courage goalkeeper, Katelyn Rowland, was tested early in the second half. Rowland made two big saves in the opening minutes of the half to help the Courage maintain the lead.

In the 53rd minute, Lynn Williams picked a pass between Bledsoe and a Spirit defender. Williams dribbled into open space and found the feet of Pruitt. The rookie made a quick move before sending the ball into the top corner of the net. The goal was her second of the season.

Washington found the back of the net in the 82nd minute when a long throw-in from Sam Staab connected with Crystal Thomas. Thomas headed the ball into the net past a diving Rowland. A strong defensive effort in the last minutes of the game helped the Courage preserve the lead and earn three points.

Notes

Debinha made her first start with the team since returning from the FIFA Women's World Cup.

Lynn Williams had her third assist of the season and is tied for the most assist in the NWSL so far this season.

Debinha and Pruitt each had their second goal of the season.

Abby Dahlkemper, Crystal Dunn, Jessica McDonald, and Sam Mewis are still competing with the USWNT and will take on England in the semifinals of the World Cup on Tuesday.

Box Score

NCC (4-4-2 Box): Katelyn Rowland; Ryan Williams, Cari Roccaro, Kaleigh Kurtz, Jaelene Hinkle; Merritt Mathias, Denise O'Sullivan; McCall Zerboni ©, Debinha (Julia Spetsmark,84'); Leah Pruitt (Meredith Speck, 78'), Lynn Williams

Subs not used: Sam Leshnak, Lauren Milliet, Shannon Horgan, McKenzie Meehan

WAS (4-3-3): Aubrey Bledsoe; Tori Huster, Paige Nielsen, Sam Staab, Amy Harrison (Bayley Fiest, 58'); Meggie Dougherty Howard (Cheyna Matthews, 58'), Andi Sullivan ©, Jordan DiBiasi; Chloe Logarzo (Crystal Thomas, 67'), Ashley Hatch, Dorian Bailey

Subs not used: Shae Yanez, McKenzie Berryhill, Arielle Ship, Carlin Hudson, Sammy Jo Prudhomme

Score:

NCC: 2

WAS: 1

Goals:

NCC: Debinha (45+3'), Leah Pruitt (Lynn Williams, 53')

WAS: Crystal Thomas (82')

Cautions:

NCC: McCall Zerboni, 90+3'

WAS: Amy Harrison, 39'

Ejections:

NCC: --

WAS: --

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