NC Courage back atop NWSL standings following shutout win over Seattle

NC Courage, NorthCarolinaFC.com
NC Courage, NorthCarolinaFC.com

Cary, N.C. – The North Carolina Courage reclaimed first place in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) standings after downing the Seattle Reign 1-0 at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park on Saturday.

Lynn Williams’ first half goal was the difference-maker.

“I am really happy with the result,” Courage head coach Paul Riley said.

“You have to win your home games in this league if you’re going to do damage in the league, and we won our home game, so I’m happy with the group. We didn’t give [Seattle] a lot of chances to be honest with you. All in all, with those players coming back from the west coast, I think it was a really good performance. You’ve got to give them a lot of credit, all four of them, for coming back and performing like they did.”

The Courage dominated possession in the Reign’s half with several chances, but nothing big enough to create a gap until the 32nd minute of play.

With a ball delivered on the ground into the box, Williams met the cross and fired a low shot past the outstretched hand of Seattle goalkeeper Haley Kopmeyer.

With the win, North Carolina regained top spot heading into Week 14.

The Courage next travels to FC Kansas City for a rescheduled match on Thursday that was previously postponed due to inclement weather.

Highlights/Box Score – NWSL

Lineups
NCC: Katelyn Rowland; Jaelene Hinkle, Abby Erceg ©, Abby Dahlkemper, Taylor Smith; Mccall Zerboni, Samantha Mewis, Makenzy Doniak (Jessica McDonald, 62’), Kristen Hamilton (Sam Witteman, 90+), Ashley Hatch (Debinha, 87’), Lynn Williams – Subs not used: Sabrina D’Angelo, Denise O’Sullivan, Stephanie Ochs, Meredith Speck

SEA: Haley Kopmeyer; Kiersten Dallstream (Katlyn Johnson, 63’), Rachel Corsie, Lauren Barnes, Merritt Mathias (Elli Reed, 79’), Jessica Fishlock, Christine Nairn (Kristen McNabb, 79’), Lindsay Elston, Rebekah Stott, Beverly Yanez, Nahomi Kawasumi – Subs not used: Madalyn Schiffel, Carson Pickett, Larissa Crummer, Madeline Bauer

Score: NCC: 1; SEA: 0
Goals: NCC: Lynn Williams (Makenzy Doniak, 32’); SEA:
Cautions: NCC: —; SEA: Rebekah Stott (24’), Lauren Barnes (86′)
Ejections: NCC: —; SEA: —
Attendance: 5,249