Spirit stumble against Courage in second game of 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup

Boyds, Md., (7/2/2020) – The Washington Spirit fell 2-0 to the reigning National Women’s Soccer League champion North Carolina Courage in their second match of the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup late on Wednesday night at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman, Ut.

The Spirit looked to gain a strong foothold within the first ten minutes of the match, with Spirit midfielder Andi Sullivan starting things off with an early chance from distance, forcing Courage goalkeeper Steph Labbe to make a diving stop just three minutes into the game. 

3' – @sunshine_sully with an early blast on goal!#WASvNC | #NWSLChallengeCup https://t.co/TjBzubgcgY

— Washington Spirit (@WashSpirit) July 2, 2020

The early chances would continue to come for the Spirit as midfielder Rose Lavelle tried her hand at a shot from distance in the 8th minute but was unable to connect on a bold chip over Labbe. 

8' – ok but what if?#WASvNC | #NWSLChallengeCup https://t.co/F0GChIg0Xr

— Washington Spirit (@WashSpirit) July 2, 2020

Both teams would head into the locker room scoreless, but the Spirit were able to hold the slight edge in possession at 53%. The Spirit back four of Tori Huster, Paige Nielsen, Sam Staab and Tegan McGrady played a tremendous part in keeping things even by denying North Carolina the ability to attack comfortably.

Five minutes into the second half, Courage forward Lynn Williams took a ball down the right flank, cut in past a diving Staab and converted the chance from close-range. In the 61st minute, Williams would get herself a brace, scoring again stabbing at cross from Debinha, beating Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe at the far post. The Spirit were unable to mount a comeback, and the Courage were able to secure all three points. 

For their third fixture, the Spirit will take on the Portland Thorns on Sunday at 10 pm ET at Zions Bank Stadium, with the game broadcast live on CBS All-Access. 

-NWSL Match Report-

Match: Washington Spirit vs North Carolina Courage

Date: July 1, 2020

Venue: Zions Bank Stadium

Kickoff: 10:00 p.m. ET

Weather: Clear, low 70s

Scoring Summary:

NC –  Williams 50’

NC – Williams 61’

Lineups:

WAS (4-4-2): 1-Aubrey Bledsoe; 14-Paige Nielsen; 9-Tegan McGrady; 23-Tori Huster (82‘ 4-Natalie Jacobs); 3-Sam Staab; 10-Rose Lavelle (70’ 2-Ashley Sanchez); 8-Meggie Dougherty-Howard (59’ 11-Jordan DiBiasi); 12-Andi Sullivan (c) (71’ 7-Jaye Bossiere); 19-Dorian Bailey; 33-Ashley Hatch (82’ 6-Katie McClure); 13-Bayley Feist

Unused Substitutes: 16-Averie Collins; 25-Devon Kerr; 26-Meghan McCool; 17-Kumi Yokoyama

NC (4-2-2-2): 1-Stephanie Labbe; 3-Kaleigh Kurtz; 6-Abby Erceg (c); 15-Jaelene Daniels; 27-Addisyn Merrick; 21-Cari Roccaro (45’ 8-Denise O’Sullivan); 10-Debinha; 25-Meredith Speck (45’ 5-Sam Mewis); 2-Lauren Milliet (68’ 23-Kristen Hamilton); 4-McKenzie Meehan (45’ 19-Crystal Dunn); 9-Lynn Williams (81’ 16-Hailie Mace)

Unused Substitutes: 13-Ryan Williams; 99-Katelyn Rowland; 42-Samantha Leshnak; 22-Hailey Harbison; 7-Abby Dahlkemper; 26-Sinclaire Miramontez; 20-Lindsay Agnew

Stats Summary: WAS / NC

Shots: 5 / 11

Shots on Target: 1 / 3

Saves: 1 / 1

Blocked Shots: 0 / 3

Fouls: 7 / 5

Offside: 0 / 3

Officials:

Referee: Lukasz Szpala

Assistant Referee 1: Deleana Quan

Assistant Referee 2: Jennifer Garner

Fourth Official: Katja Koroleva

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