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NWSL North Carolina Courage

NC Courage Defeat Utah Royals FC Behind Goals from Hamilton and McDonald

July 28, 2019 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
North Carolina Courage News Release


Sandy, Utah - The North Carolina Courage (7W-3L-4D) defeated Utah Royals FC, 2-1, for the first time in club history behind goals from Kristen Hamilton and Jessica McDonald. The NC Courage bounced back after going down early in the game to earn an important three points.

In the 13th minute, Christen Press found an opening and took advantage of the space. The Utah Royals FC forward sent a shot in that found the corner of the net to put Utah up early.

Kristen Hamilton tied it up in the 35th minute with an impressive strike. Sam Mewis played a high ball into Hamilton who shouldered it down to her foot and blasted the ball past Utah Royals FC goalkeeper, Nicole Barnhart.

The goal was Hamilton's eighth of the season as she sits in second place in goals in the NWSL this season. Mewis' assist on the goal was her first in 2019. The two teams entered halftime tied 1-1.

Ten minutes into the second half, Hamilton spun a defender and ran into open space with the ball. Two Utah defenders ran to cover Hamilton leaving McDonald wide open. Hamilton threaded a ball through the defenders to McDonald who sent the second goal of the night past Barnhart.

Several saves by Courage goalkeeper Stephanie Labbé in the closing minutes secured the win. Labbé made six saves on the night.

Up Next: The Courage return home to Sahlen's Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park on Friday, August 2 at 7:00 p.m. to face the Washington Spirit.

Notes:

Crystal Dunn returned to the Courage starting lineup for the first time since the FIFA Women's World Cup.

With a goal against Utah, McDonald has scored a goal against every current and folded NWSL team excluding the Courage.

The goal also places McDonald into the position of all-time leader in game-winning goals in the NWSL with 16.

The Courage have scored eight times between the 46th and 60th minutes this season.

Box:

UTAH (4-4-2): Nicole Barnhart; Kelley O'Hara, Becky Sauerbrunn ©, Rachel Corsie, Katie Bowen (Mallory Weber, 81'); Lo'eau LaBonta (Erika Tymrak, 87'), Desiree Scott, Vero Boquete, Gunnhildur Jonsdottir (Katie Stengel, 72'); Christen Press, Amy Rodriguez

Subs not used: Sydney Miramontez, Gaby Vincent, Abby Smith, Makenzy Doniak

NCC (4-4-2): Stephanie Labbé; Jaelene Hinkle, Abby Erceg ©, Abby Dahlkemper, Merritt Mathias; Debinha (Meredith Speck, 87'), Denise O'Sullivan, Samantha Mewis, Crystal Dunn; Kristen Hamilton (Leah Pruitt, 90+1'), Jessica McDonald (McCall Zerboni, 80')

Subs not used: Katelyn Rowland, Kaleigh Kurtz, Cari Roccaro, Julia Spetsmark

Score:

UTAH: 1

NCC: 2

Goals:

UTAH: Christen Press (Vero Boquete, 13')

NCC: Kristen Hamilton (Samantha Mewis, 35'), Jessica McDonald (Kristen Hamilton 54')

Cautions:

UTAH: --

NCC: --

Ejections:

UTAH: --

NCC: --

Attendance: 10,545

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National Women's Soccer League Stories from July 28, 2019


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