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NWSL North Carolina Courage

NC Courage Tops Houston 1-0 to Capture First

July 1, 2023 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
North Carolina Courage News Release


CARY, N.C. - The North Carolina Courage captured a fourth straight league - and fifth overall - victory with a 1-0 win over the Houston Dash Saturday on Pride Night at WakeMed Soccer Park. The Courage catapulted into the top spot in the standings - as of the final whistle - as they improved to 8-4-2 on the year for 26 points.

Tyler Lussi scored her fourth goal of the season, all of which have been game-winners. It was her second in as many matches and second against the Dash this season. The Courage carried 65% of possession, and held the Dash to just one shot on frame as North Carolina picked up their fourth straight clean sheet. They continue to lead the league in shutouts, now with eight for the season.

The teams played a scoreless first 45 minutes, but the Courage had some chances to open the scoring. Brittany Ratcliffe got a shot on frame within the first 10 minutes, forcing Jane Campbell to make the stop. Tess Boade then made a daring run and forced Campbell off her line, who got just a fingertip to the ball to disrupt the timing.

The Courage got two more dangerous shots at the tail end of the half, finishing the half with seven shots to the Dash four. Their most dangerous chance came late in the half, when Diana Ordóñez got her right foot to a loose ball in the box, but Kiki Pickett was able to step in front to prevent conceding to secure the 10th time the Courage have held their opponent for the first half in 14 league matches.

After dominating possession for the first quarter hour of the second half, the Courage broke through in highlight reel fashion. Countering off a Dash attack, K. Pickett carried up the left flank and launched a picturesque aerial cross to Lussi, who collected in stride, marched a few steps forward and launched a near-impossible angle shot to the back post, which pinged into the side netting for the lead.

Match Notes

The match began one hour late (8:30 p.m. ET) due to lightning storms in the area

The Courage passed with 82.5% accuracy, the 10th time in 14 league games over 80%

The Courage have not conceded in 442 game minutes, the longest streak in the NWSL this season.

The Courage are now tied for the fewest goals conceded this season (11) on the back of four straight clean sheets.

Next Match: The North Carolina Courage head west for a league match against Angel City FC on Sunday, July 9, from BMO Stadium with kickoff set for 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT. The match will air regionally on Bally Sports South and the Bally App, stream nationally on Paramount+ and abroad on nwslsoccer.com.

Box Score:

NCC (4-3-3): Katelyn Rowland ©, Ryan Williams, Kaleigh Kurtz, Malia Berkely, Kiki Pickett, Narumi, Brianna Pinto, Frankie Tagliaferri (Victoria Pickett - 77'), Brittany Ratcliffe (Olivia Wingate - 68'), Tess Boade (Haley Hopkins - 86'), Tyler Lussi

Subs Not Used: Marisa Bova, Sydney Collins, Sarah Clark, Nikia Smith, Millie Farrow

HOU (4-4-2): Jane Campbell ©, Natalie Jacobs, Ally Prisock, Courtney Petersen, Caprice Dydasco, Marisa Viggiano, Sophie Hirst (Barbara Olivieri - 24'), María Sánchez (Ryan Gareis - 65'), Joelle Anderson, Michelle Alozie (Ebony Salmon - 65'), Diana Ordóñez (Cameron Tucker - 83')

Subs Not Used: Emily Alvarado, Madelyn Desiano, Lindsi Jennings, Jyllissha Harris

Score:

NCC: 1

HOU: 0

Goals:

NCC: T. Lussi - 58' (K. Pickett)

HOU:

Cautions:

NCC:

HOU: C. Dydasco - 45+3'; J. Anderson - 81'; B. Olivieri - 90+2'

Ejections:

NCC: -

HOU: -

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National Women's Soccer League Stories from July 1, 2023


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