NWSL NJ/NY Gotham FC

Gotham FC Earns 3-1 Road Victory Over Orlando Pride in UKG Challenge Cup Match on Sunday

July 24, 2023 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
NJ/NY Gotham FC News Release


NJ/NY Gotham FC celebrates win
NJ/NY Gotham FC celebrates win
(NJ/NY Gotham FC)

HARRSON, NJ - NJ/NY Gotham FC picked up right where it left off with another road victory on Sunday night, when the club defeated the Orlando Pride 3-1 in a UKG Challenge Cup match at Exploria Stadium.

The match held a special significance for captain Ali Krieger, who played her last game at Exploria Stadium, a place she called home from the 2017-2021 seasons in the National Women's Soccer League. Earlier this year, Krieger announced her plans to retire after this campaign.

In the ninth minute of play on Sunday, the Orlando Pride opened the scoring, when Megan Montefusco headed a corner kick taken from the left side to glance it into the far side netting.

Orlando's attack pressed on with close chances in the 10th and 11th minutes. However, Gotham FC goalkeeper Mandy Haught came up with several key plays, including stopping a shot bound for the bottom right corner in the 28th minute.

Gotham FC equalized in the 35th minute, when forward Midge Purce dribbled into the box and was taken down, earning a penalty kick. Rookie defender/forward Jenna Nighswonger stepped up to the spot to put away the finish for the 1-1 scoreline heading into halftime.

The visitors sealed the win in the second half with two stellar Gotham FC goals.

At the 55-minute mark, Nighswonger played a ball into midfielder McCall Zerboni, whose strike from outside the box went high and into the middle of the goal, giving Gotham FC the 2-1 lead.

Two minutes later, in the 57th minute, forward/midfielder Yazmeen Ryan received a pass from Zerboni and cranked a shot from distance that was driven into the bottom right corner for the 3-1 final scoreline. With the finish, Ryan scored her first goal since joining Gotham FC, and Zerboni polished off a goal and an assist in the same match for the first time in her NWSL career.

Gotham FC will next face the Washington Spirit at Audi Field on Friday, July 28.

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STARTING LINEUP:

Mandy Haught, Mandy Freeman (Kristen Edmonds '79), Ali Krieger, Ellie Jean, Jenna Nighswonger, McCall Zerboni (Maitane López '65), Nealy Martin, Delanie Sheehan (Cyera Hintzen '79), Midge Purce (Mana Shim 90+), Katie Stengel (Allie Long '65), Yazmeen Ryan

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NJ/NY Gotham FC celebrates win
NJ/NY Gotham FC celebrates win
   



National Women's Soccer League Stories from July 24, 2023


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