NWSL North Carolina Courage

Merritt Mathias Announced as Select PT's Comeback Player of the Year

Published on November 17, 2021 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
North Carolina Courage News Release


CARY, NC - North Carolina Courage defender Merritt Mathias has been selected as Select PT's Comeback Player of the Year, the club announced today.

In 2019, Mathias suffered a season-ending ACL injury in a match against the Houston Dash, and what followed were two surgeries and an 18-month recovery. Determined to make a comeback, the defender did exactly that, returning to the pitch during the 2021 Challenge Cup and doing so in style as she chipped in a goal to lift the Courage to a 3-2 win over the Washington Spirit on April 10.

"I am honored to have been selected as Select PT's Comeback Player of the Year," Merritt Mathias said. "This year, like any recovery process, was not linear but filled with many ups & downs. While this was not the season I pictured returning to, I am grateful to have made it through my season back in one healthy & whole piece. Thank you to Kenny & Select PT for all your help along the way!"

Throughout this regular season, Mathias asserted her role as a staple player in the Courage backline, appearing in 23 matches, all 23 of which were starts, and clocking 1,946 minutes of playing time. The Birmingham, AL native posted impressive statistics across the board, collecting 62 clearances, five blocks, and nineteen interceptions while maintaining a 51.4% success rate in tackles and a 75.2% success rate in passing. Offensively, Mathias recorded seventeen successful crosses, an assist, and eight shots, three of which were on target.

In the postseason, Mathias helped lead the Courage side to the NWSL quarterfinals in which they faced the Washington Spirit on November 7, falling 1-0 in overtime and ending their 2021 NWSL season. Mathias played through the entirety of regular time and into extra time, notching a total of 119 minutes in the postseason match and putting on what was arguably one of her best performances of the year.

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