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NC Courage Host Reign FC in Battle of Top Two NWSL Teams

July 11, 2019 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) - North Carolina Courage News Release

Cary, N.C. - The North Carolina Courage (5W-2L-4D) will take on Reign FC (5W-1l-5D) for the second time this season on Saturday, July 13 at 7:00 p.m.

The club will honor the seven players who participated in the World Cup with post-game recognition. Jessica McDonald, Sam Mewis, and Abby Dahlkemper are expected to be in attendance.

The Courage will be facing Reign FC fresh off of a 5-2 victory against the Houston Dash, which moved the team into second place in the NWSL, just one point behind Reign FC. Only a month removed from her hat-trick game in Orlando, Kristen Hamilton was able to score four goals, two in the first half and two in the second, making her second in the NWSL for goals scored this season with seven.

Lynn Williams tallied the other goal in the match, moving her goal total to four this season. She also provided an assist in the match, making her the NWSL all-time assist leader. Williams leads the league in assists along with teammate Jaelene Hinkle. Both have four assists.

The Reign are coming into this match off of a 1-0 victory against the Portland Thorns. The only goal of the match was from Celia Jiménez Delgado. The strike was Delgado's first NWSL goal.

The Courage and the Reign have not met since May 27 where the Courage suffered a 2-1 defeat. Abby Erceg was able to score in the match during the last few minutes of regulation. Bethany Balcer and Shea Groom each scored a goal in the Reign FC victory.

Up Next: The North Carolina Courage will travel to Chicago to face the Red Stars on Sunday, July 21 at 6:00 p.m. ET.

Players to Watch:

North Carolina Courage- #23 Kristen Hamilton

Hamilton has been setting records since the beginning of June. The midfielder has scored seven goals in her last two matches played. She was the NWSL Player of the Week in both Week 8 and Week 12. Hamilton was also named to the NWSL Team of the Month for June. She will look to build on her success against Reign FC.

Reign FC- #24 Bethany Balcer

Balcer has scored three goals and had one assist so far this season. She has made appearances in 11 matches for 768 total minutes. Balcer will be looking to take shots against the Courage. She has already taken 28 shots this season.

Check out the North Carolina Courage Statistics

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National Women's Soccer League Stories from July 11, 2019


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