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NWSL NJ/NY Gotham FC

NJ/NY Gotham FC Advances to NWSL Championship

November 6, 2023 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
NJ/NY Gotham FC News Release


NJ/NY Gotham FC reacts after Katie Stengel's overtime goal
NJ/NY Gotham FC reacts after Katie Stengel's overtime goal
(NJ/NY Gotham FC)

PORTLAND - NJ/NY Gotham FC is heading to the NWSL Championship after taking down the defending champions - the Portland Thorns - in a 1-0 overtime victory on Sunday night at Providence Park. Gotham FC forward Katie Stengel scored in the 107th minute to seal the win and continue the club's historic season.

Gotham FC settled into the first half by controlling possession 61% to Portland's 39%. Fifteen minutes into the match, Gotham FC opened up its attacking third opportunities, as forward Lynn Williams dribbled into the box from the left flank and found defender Jenna Nighswonger. The rookie sensation took a left footed shot that was saved by the goalkeeper.

In the 30th minute, forward Midge Purce served in a corner kick that found Williams for a header, but she redirected the ball over goal. Moments later, midfielder Delanie Sheehan gained possession near the box and chipped the ball over Portland's backline to forward Esther Gonzalez, but the forward and Portland's goalkeeper collided with the ball going out for a goal kick.

The club finished the half outshooting Portland six to three. Additionally, Nighswonger, a Rookie of the Year presented by Ally finalist, tied the club record for shots in a single playoff game with three in just the first half of the match.

Gotham FC continued to push forward in the opening minutes of the second half. In the 49th minute, Purce drove across the field and played in Esther who settled the ball out of the air and tried to curl the shot to the back post, but the goalkeeper saved the shot.

Goalkeeper Mandy Haught was called into action in the 79th minute to help keep Portland scoreless. Portland Thorns forwards Crystal Dunn and Sophia Smith broke away on a counter attack. Dunn played a leading ball to Smith, but Haught anticipated the pass and smothered the ball at Smith's feet.

Regulation ended scoreless. For the first time in club history, Gotham FC went into overtime in a playoff match.

Then, in the 107th minute, Gotham FC broke through with the game-winning goal. After the ball popped up in the air, midfielder Kristie Mewis brought the ball down and found forward Katie Stengel at the top of the box. Stengel took a few touches away from goal and fired a shot. The ball went past the goalkeeper and finished in the top corner of the goal to seal the game.

Gotham FC will face OL Reign in the NWSL Championship in San Diego on Saturday, Nov. 11 at 8 p.m. ET.

POSTGAME QUOTES

Gotham FC Goalkeeper Mandy Haught

On the match...

It was electric. There were so many highs and so many lows. We just got through it all as a team. We worked very hard until the end. I just love everyone who stepped up for this team today.

On the save against Sophia Smith...

The 2-v-1. I saw Crystal. I saw Soph. I thought ok, let's make something happen. On the pass, I was ready - I was balanced - to go forward. I had a feeling she was going to pass it - she wasn't going to drive to goal. The second that she passed it, it was going into the box. I wanted to come out there strong and that's what I did.

Gotham FC Forward Katie Stengel

On the team and going into the match...

I think everyone was antsy this whole week. We've been waiting to finally play. And we've been enjoying some nice weather during training and then we had today. We felt like we had a lot of things going against us that we were very excited to rise to the challenge as the underdogs.

On her goal...

Yeah. I'm still shocked. If anyone saw my face afterwards. It was surreal. It was very exciting. I think I'm still dreaming.

Gotham FC Head Coach Juan Carlos Amorós

On the team's performance and everything culminating to this match...

I tried to highlight in this game the work. How it wasn't only the work that we've done. Obviously the last couple of weeks has been the work that we've put in since January with the players, or even before as a staff to prepare for this game to create a new style of play for the club, to create a new approach to working with every member of the staff and to get help from the ownership day. The general managers, everyone to support this fantastic group of players.

On the energy of the team...

I think the energy comes from the heart. I think in this case my passion is the passion of all the players and members of the team. Nobody that started to play or to coach in this game did it because they wanted to be millionaires. They did it because it's the passion in something they do as kids, and something that you believe. That makes you happy and that's how I feel and how I've always lived. We do a lot of sacrifices to to be here.

Key Stats and Notes

Sunday's match marked the first time Gotham FC has used the same lineup in two games in a row this year.

Forward Lynn Williams' 11th career playoff start tied Christine Sinclair's (Portland Thorns) 11 starts for second-most in league history.

Forward Midge Purce and Midfielder Allie Long reached their respective third playoff appearances, with Purce also earning the postseason start.

Nighswonger has already tied the club record for shots in a single playoff game with three. She, Purce and Ryan all had three last week too.

Midfielder Kristie Mewis made her first playoff appearance since 2013.

Gotham FC played in its first extra time playoff game in NWSL club history

Maitane had more than 122 touches, 104 pass attempts, and 88 completed passes.

Forward Katie Stengel scored her first NWSL Playoffs goal

Goalkeeper Mandy Haught became the second goalkeeper to start her playoff career with two clean sheets. Cassie Miller for Chicago Red Stars in 2021 the other.

Goalkeeper Haught and defenders Ali Krieger and Bruninha have been on field for all 210 scoreless minutes of the postseason.

Mewis notched her 26th career assist in all competitions, which ties for ninth in league history with Naho.

MATCH SUMMARY

No. 6 Gotham FC vs. No. 2 Portland Thorns

Nov. 5, 2023 - Providence Park (Portland, OR)

Goals by Half 1 2 OT F

Gotham F.C. 0 0 1 1

Portland 0 0 0 0

Scoring Summary:

107': Katie Stengel (Kristie Mewis)

Misconduct Summary:

Yellow Cards:

NJ/NY: Jenna Nighswonger 70', Ali Krieger 96', Nealy Martin 40', Maitane 90+3'

POR: Hina Siguita 81'

Lineups:

NJ/NY: GK Mandy Haught, D Jenna Nighswonger, D Maitane López, D Ali Krieger, D Bruninha, M Nealy Martin (Allie Long, 105'), M Delanie Sheehan (Katie Stengel, 100'), M Yazmeen Ryan (Kelley O'Hara, 112'), F Midge Purce (Sinead Farrelly, 80'), F Esther Gonzalez (Kristie Mewis, 80'), F Lynn Williams (Kristen Edmonds, 120')

Substitutes Not Used: GK Michelle Betos, F Mana Shim, D Ellie Jean

TOTAL SHOTS: 13 ; SHOTS ON GOAL: 3; FOULS: 20; OFFSIDES: 1; CORNER KICKS: 4; SAVES: 3

POR: GK Shelby Hogan, D Reyna Reyes, D Becky Sauerbrunn © (Kelli Hubly, 105'), D Emily Menges, D Meghan Klingenberg (Natalia Kuikka, 60'), M Rocky Rodríguez (Hina Sugita, 59'), M Olivia Moultrie (Christine Sinclair, 116'), M Sam Coffey, F Crystal Dunn (Michele Vasconcelos, 116'), F Sophia Smith, F Morgan Weaver (Hannah Betfort, 116')

Substitutes Not Used: Bella Bixby, Meaghan Nally, Taylor Porter

TOTAL SHOTS: 11; SHOTS ON GOAL: 5; FOULS:18 ; OFFSIDES: 6; CORNER KICKS: 4; SAVES: 2

Referee: Danielle Chesky

Assistant Referees: Stephen McGonagle, Chris Schurfranz

VAR: Adorae Monroy

Check out the NJ/NY Gotham FC Statistics




Images from this story

NJ/NY Gotham FC reacts after Katie Stengel's overtime goal
NJ/NY Gotham FC reacts after Katie Stengel's overtime goal
   

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