NC Courage Finds Fourth Win In A Row With 1-0 Victory Over Seattle Reign FC in front of 3,011 fans

North Carolina Courage

NC Courage Finds Fourth Win In A Row With 1-0 Victory Over Seattle Reign FC in front of 3,011 fans

Another game-winning goal from Jessica McDonald secured the North Carolina Courage’s (4W-0D-0L, 12 pts, 1st place) fourth win in as many games to continue their early season hot streak.

The team downed Seattle Reign FC (2W-0D-1L, 6 pts, 4th place) 1-0 at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park on Wednesday night.

The Courage found themselves in an early dogfight against Seattle for possession in the midfield for the majority of the first half. Although the Courage went into halftime scoreless, there was no shortage of opportunities for the group.

Of the seven shots the team took in the first half, the most lucrative opportunity came from a McDonald breakaway that caused Seattle’s keeper Michelle Betos to rush out of the box and clean up the NC Courage attack. This was only the beginning of what would become an offensive spark for the Courage that saw Crystal Dunn, Lynn Williams and Merritt Mathias all rattle off errant shots at goal.

“The second half was a great second half. We created three or four wide open breakaways, and we kept everybody here in their seats until the end as we do normally,” said NC Courage Head Coach Paul Riley. “The first half was ok… but the second half was really really good.”

The Courage carried their offensive momentum in the second half, looking to score early after a negligent Seattle pass just outside the box set Williams up for a one-v-one with Betos. Williams took a touch inside the eighteen, but her left-footed strike sailed just wide of the post as the match remained scoreless heading into the 47th minute.

The unlucky streak continued for the Courage as McDonald found herself in a promising position inside the eighteen. Combination play outside of the Seattle box between Kristen Hamilton and Denise O’Sullivan allowed McDonald to position herself just above the penalty spot. The forward attempted to slot a ball in the bottom left corner, but had her shot deflected by Betos to set up a NC Courage corner.

The third time proved to be a charm for McDonald as a high-arching through-ball from Hamilton set her up for another goal-scoring opportunity. The pass skipped past Seattle’s back line and the former Tar Heel was set up for another one-v-one situation with Betos. This time, McDonald would not be denied as she ripped a shot past the outstretched arms of Seattle’s keeper into the bottom right corner for the game’s first and only goal.

UNREAL assist.

QUALITY finish.

We get it done. #NoFinishLine pic.twitter.com/DmYfwpaKGR

— NC Courage (@TheNCCourage) April 19, 2018

Seattle’s 67th minute substitute Jasmyne Spencer looked to answer back for the Reign. The New York native opened up the field, constantly attacking the right flank pitting her up against Merritt Mathias for much of the match. The rotating combination of Mathias and Kaleigh Kurtz snuffed out Spencer’s attempt.

The Courage will finish out their two game homestand against the Utah Royals at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park on Saturday, April 21, at 3:30 p.m. ET. Tickets to the match can be purchased by calling the box office at 919-459-8144 or online at NCCourage.com/tickets.

Line-ups:

NCC (4-4-2 Box): Sabrina D’Angelo; Jaelene Hinkle, Abby Erceg ©, Kaleigh Kurtz, Merritt Mathias; Kristen Hamilton (Samantha Mewis 72′), Denise O’Sullivan, McCall Zerboni, Crystal Dunn, Lynn Williams, Jessica McDonald (Darian Jenkins 79′)

Subs not used: Katelyn Rowland, Frannie Crouse, Meredith Speck, Cari Roccaro, Liz Eddy

SEA (4-3-3): Michelle Betos; Theresa Nielsen, Megan Oyster, Yael Averbuch, Christen Westphal (Lauren Barnes, 18′); Jessica Fishlock ©, Allie Long, Morgan Andrews (Elizabeth Addo 73′); Beverly Yanez, Kiersten Dallstream (Jasmyne Spencer, 67′), Jodie Taylor

Subs not used: Adelaide Gay, Kristen McNabb, Maddie Bauer