North Carolina Courage Head Coach Paul Riley. (Photo by Diego G Diaz/ProstAmerika)
Cary, N.C- This afternoon, 4,068 fans cheered from the stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park as the North Carolina Courage welcomed the Chicago Red Stars for Week 6 of the season.
The Courage fought well and took a total of 15 shots on goal to challenge Chicago goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who made 12 tactical saves that kept the Courage from winning.
Naeher had her work cut out for her and within the 17th minute, she was put to the task. Courage midfielder McCall Zerboni dribbled her way through to get a clear shot on goal and sent the ball to the right post of the goal with her left foot, but Naeher was on it and pushed the ball off the field.
Chicago Red Stars Keeper Alyssa Naeher (Photo by Don Mac Gregor).
North Carolina continued to keep Naeher on her toes as Samantha Mewis also had a decent shot on the goal, sending it just too high from the range of the crossbar.
In the 37th minute, Chicago defender Sarah Gorden chipped the ball to Sam Kerr and although there was a Courage defender in the way, she extended her leg and took the shot with her right foot to hit the back of the net. Kerr scored her first goal for the Red Stars, putting them up 1-0 just before the half.
Even within the second half, forward Crystal Dunn swiveled to shoot the ball to the goal and Naeher still made the save.
The Courage were persistent in getting a successful shot on goal and wouldn’t give up. They worked the passing and held 58% of the possession during the match.
While the match was coming to a close, Jaelene Hinkle didn’t hesitate to take the corner kick in the 81st minute. Abby Erceg passed the ball to Zerboni, who was the ultimate game changer, with her shot sending the ball straight to the back of the net.
Although the Courage didn’t see a victory, they are still standing in first place. Head coach Paul Riley was content with the outcome of the match. “We need to start taking advantage of these chances we’re creating. In all fairness, we have the players in front of goal. All week, they’ll get back in front of goal starting Tuesday – Lynn, Jess, Crystal, Hammy, Debinha, and we’ll get back at it.”
Next Saturday, the Washington Spirit will travel to WakeMed Soccer Park where the Courage will play their last home game before heading on the road for four away matches.
SCORING SUMMARY:
CHI-Sam Kerr, 37’
NC-McCall Zerboni, 82’ (Assisted by Abby Erceg)
BOOKING SUMMARY:
NC-Samantha Mewis, yellow card, 45’
CHI-Yuki Nagasato, yellow card, 45 + 3’
NC-McCall Zerboni, yellow card, 71’
CHI-Michele Vasconcelos, 73’
NC COURAGE: #1-Sabrina D’Angelo, #15-Jalene Hinkle, #6-Abby Erceg, #13-Abby Dahlkemper, #11-Merritt Mathias, #10-Débora Cristiane De Olivera (#21-Darian Jenkins, 90 + 1’), #7-McCall Zerboni, #5-Samantha Mewis (#14-Jessica McDonald, 62’), #8-Denise O’Sullivan (#23-Kristen Hamilton, 79’), #19-Crystal Dunn, #9-Lynn Williams
Subs not used: #4-Elizabeth Eddy, #31-Kaleigh Kurtz, #99-Katelyn Rowland, #25-Meredith Speck
CHICAGO RED STARS: #1-Alyssa Naeher, #11-Sofia Huerta, #16-Samantha Johnson, #14-Sarah Gorden, #4-Alyssa Mautz (#3-Arin Gilliland, 46’), #13-Lauren Kaskie (#24-Danielle Colaprico, 58’), #2-Nikki Stanton, #15-Michele Vasconcelos, #12-Yuki Nagasato, #19-Summer Green (#7-Taylor Comeau, 58’), #20-Sam Kerr
Subs not used: #21-Emily Boyd, #8-Julie Ertz, #5-Kathleen Naughton
TOTAL SHOTS: NC 42-8 CHI
SHOTS ON GOAL: NC 15-2 CHI
FOULS: NC 8-7 CHI
OFFSIDES: NC 4-3 CHI
CORNER KICKS: NC 12-3 CHI
SAVES: NC 2-3 UTA
North Carolina Courage
