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NWSL North Carolina Courage

NC Courage Fall Short of Washington Spirit in Quarterfinal Match

November 7, 2021 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
North Carolina Courage News Release


WASHINGTON, DC - The North Carolina Courage fell to the Washington Spirit in extra time on Sunday night, a late goal from Washington's Ashley Hatch the difference maker. With the result, the Courage finish their season in the quarterfinal round of the NWSL playoffs. Despite an unfavorable conclusion to the contest, the match was highlighted by a strong defensive performance from Abby Erceg, Kaleigh Kurtz, Merritt Mathias, and Carson Pickett, as well as an impeccable showing in goal from Casey Murphy, who earned the honor of Budweiser Player of the Match for her efforts.

"I think it's just been survival, to be completely honest," said Courage Captain Abby Erceg when asked about her takeaways from this season. "It's just been game to game, week to week, I think it was always going to take a bit of a tall order for us. We all knew that. We were just here to give it all that we could and then go as far as we could. But like I said, it's a tall order with everything that was going on. Taking away from the past six weeks, I think, at this point we just survive. We're survivors. We just know we can fight. We can get through pretty much anything at this point. We've got a bit of resilience."

"The group is devastated, obviously," said Amy Rodriguez. "With the type of experience and history that this team has, that this club has, we set a really high standard and today we just didn't meet it. I know that we are proud to represent the Courage and we have to go back and revamp, recollect and then get our eyes set on 2022."

"In my mind, I'm sort of breaking the season up into two [parts], pre four weeks ago and post four weeks ago," said Head Coach Sean Nahas. "And the team I saw at the end is the team that I know. First of all, this was an unbelievable football match. If you're a fan of the game, and you didn't enjoy that, then you shouldn't be a fan of the game. I thought we were really good tonight, I thought we were so good. I just saw one of the stats, I think we have close to 600 pass attempts and 460 connected passes in a really high level game. I'm in awe of [the players]. I'll repeat it until I'm blue in the face. I am in awe of this group."

Though the first half concluded in a 0-0 deadlock, there was no shortage of scoring opportunities for the Courage. In the 12th minute, the North Carolina side earned a corner kick, placing NWSL Defender of the Year finalist Carson Pickett on the ball. Finding the head of Kaleigh Kurtz in the box, the defender's redirection skimmed just over the crossbar. Four minutes later, the Courage were on the attack again as Amy Rodriguez and Lynn Williams strung together a sequence of quick passes, culminating in Williams firing a shot on frame that was ultimately met with a diving save from Aubrey Bledsoe.

The Courage continued to press Washington's defense as the first half progressed, challenging Bledsoe a third time as a cross from Merritt Mathias found Debinha inside the Washington box. With an impressive effort, the Brazilian international made contact with the cross, sending a header just wide of the goal in the 22nd minute.

The 0-0 scoreline held until full time expired, requiring extra time to decide its winner following 90 minutes of hard-fought soccer between the two sides. In the 113th minute, Washington scored a decisive goal as a save from Casey Murphy was deflected into the path of Ashley Hatch. Putting away a shot at close range, the Golden Boot winner provided the Spirit the edge they needed to win the game and punch their ticket to the semifinal match, where they will face off against the OL Reign.

Box Score:

NC (4-4-2): Casey Murphy, Kaleigh Kurtz, Carson Pickett, Abby Erceg, Merritt Mathias (Ryan Williams - 119'), Denise O'Sullivan, Debinha, Cari Roccaro (Angharad James - 106'), Lynn Williams, Amy Rodriguez (Meredith Speck - 77'), Jessica McDonald (Jessica McDonald - 106')

Subs Not Used: Diane Caldwell, Ryan Williams, Lindsay Agnew, Rylee Baisden, Sam Murphy, Brittany Ratcliffe

WAS (4-5-1): Aubrey Bledsoe, Sam Staab, Kelley O'Hara, Emily Sonnett, Tegan McGrady (Julia Roddar - 70'), Andi Sullivan, Dorian Bailey (Paige Nielsen - 115'), Taylor Aylmer (Tori Huster - 46' (Anna Heilferty - 98')), Trinity Rodman (Saori Takarada - 118'), Ashley Sanchez (Tara McKeown- 70'), Ashley Hatch

Subs Not Used: Kumi Yokoyama, Devon Kerr, Camryn Biegalski

Score:

NC: 0

WAS: 0

Goals:

NC: --

WAS: --

Cautions:

NC: --

WAS: --

Ejections:

NC: --

WAS: --

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