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NWSL Racing Louisville FC

Racing Louisville Falls in UKG NWSL Challenge Cup Final

September 9, 2023 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Racing Louisville FC News Release


Racing Louisville FC on game night
Racing Louisville FC on game night
(Racing Louisville FC)

Racing Louisville's run through the UKG NWSL Challenge Cup ended with a 2-0 defeat to the North Carolina Courage in Saturday's final at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C.

It was Racing's first appearance in an NWSL-sponsored knockout tournament final after making club history by reaching its first NWSL tournament semifinal of any kind.

Racing's trip to the final was highlighted by a 1-0 win against OL Reign in Seattle in the Challenge Cup semifinal and a competition record-tying four-match winning streak to open the group stage.

On Saturday, the final was disrupted by thunderstorms in the area after 11 scoreless minutes of action, causing a two-hour delay.

Not long after the restart, North Carolina forward Kerolin gave the Courage a first-half lead in the 28th minute, scoring near post from a tight angle. A 54th-minute goal from Manaka Matsukubo added insurance to Carolina's lead.

Racing didn't go quietly, with substitute Nadia Nadim's header off a Savannah DeMelo cross hitting the crossbar in the 57th minute. Twenty minutes later, Ary Borges had a one-timer off a corner saved by sprawling North Carolina goalkeeper Casey Murphy.

Louisville goalkeeper Katie Lund kept her team competitive throughout the contest, making a Challenge Cup final record nine saves.

With the Challenge Cup in the books, Racing now turns its focus to a playoff push, with the club two points out of sixth place with four matches left in the regular season.

Louisville hosts Houston at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Lynn Family Stadium.

Challenge Cup Final Summary: Racing Louisville FC at North Carolina Courage

UKG NWSL Challenge Cup Final

Date: Sept. 9, 2023

Venue: WakeMed Soccer Park

Kickoff: 12:37 p.m. ET

Weather: 77 degrees, cloudy

Scoring

Racing Louisville (0, 0, 0)

North Carolina (1, 1, 2)

Goals

North Carolina

28' Kerolin (Narumi Miura)

54' Manaka Matsukubo (Tess Boade)

Lineups

Racing Louisville FC (4-3-3): 1 - Katie Lund; 2 - Lauren Milliet, 15 - Julia Lester (79' 9 - Kayla Fischer), 20 - Abby Erceg (c), 25 - Rebecca Holloway (33' 17 - Maddie Pokorny); 4 - Elli Pikkujämsä, 7 - Savannah DeMelo, 8 - Ary Borges; 11 - Thembi Kgatlana, 22 - Kirsten Davis (79 29 - Uchenna Kanu), 5 - Paige Monaghan (54' 10 - Nadia Nadim)

Subs not used: 18 - Hillary Beall; 3 - Zaneta Wyne, 13 - Emina Ekic, 21 - Parker Goins, 26 - Taylor Aylmer

Head Coach: Kim Björkegren

North Carolina Courage (4-3-3): 1 - Casey Murphy; 13 - Ryan Williams, 3 - Kaleigh Kurtz, 7 - Malia Berkely, 12 - Emily Fox; 10 - Denise O'Sullivan (c) (84' 19 - Frankie Tagliaferri), 6 - Narumi Miura, 34 - Manaka Matsukubo (71' 8 - Brianna Pinto); 9 - Kerolin Nicoli (84' 14 - Tyler Lussi), 28 - Tess Boade (68' 20 - Olivia Wingate), 5 - Haley Hopkins (84' 22 - Mille Gelj)

Subs not used: 0 - Katelyn Rowland; 11 - Brittany Ratcliffe, 17 - Rikke Madsen, 23 - Kiki Pickett

Head Coach: Sean Nahas

Stats Summary: Racing Louisville / North Carolina

Shots: 10 / 14

Shots on Goal: 1 / 11

Expected goals: 1.06 / 1.16

Possession: 42.9% / 57.1%

Fouls: 8 / 10

Offside: 2 / 0

Corner Kicks: 7 / 5

Discipline Summary

Racing Louisville:

73' Savannah DeMelo (yellow)

North Carolina:

45' Kaleigh Kurtz (yellow)

Referee: Alex Billeter

VAR: Carol Anne Chenard

Check out the Racing Louisville FC Statistics




Images from this story

Racing Louisville FC on game night
Racing Louisville FC on game night
   



National Women's Soccer League Stories from September 9, 2023


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