Williams Brace Pushes Courage Past Spirit

Washington Spirit 0-2 North Carolina Courage

If you are going to go for the champ, you better not miss. On Wednesday night, the North Carolina Courage faced the upstart Washington Spirit in what was built as a potential Challenge Cup final. Thanks to a pair of second half goals from Lynn Williams the Courage held off the Spirit 2-0 to remain unbeaten in the NWSL Challenge Cup.

The start of the match very much had a feel of two teams looking to stake their claim to the top spot in the NWSL Challenge Cup standings. Despite the Courage resting Denise O’Sullivan, Sam Mewis, and Crystal Dunn; they had the best chances to take the lead early on. Forward McKenzie Meehan used her speed to make several enticing diagonal runs, breaking up the tightly organized Spirit defense and creating opportunities for her teammates.

In the fifth minute, Meehan broke past the Spirit defense leading two members of their backline down the left flank. After creating a gap in the defense, she found midfielder Debinha who hit a high curving shot towards the far right post. Although the shot had goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe beat, it would hit off the bar. The Courage may have failed on that opportunity but they had found a hole in the Spirit defense and would continue to exploit throughout the first half. In the 15th minute, defender Jaelene Daniels once again found space down the left side of the Spirit defense and hit a cross to almost the exact same spot as Debinha’s strike. This time though Beldsoe was up for the challenge making the save.

Washington’s best chance in the first half came in the third minute. Midfielder Andi Sullivan hit a long-distance strike that forced Courage goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe to making a diving save. While the Spirit had the advantage in terms of possession in the first half (53-47) they were mostly relegated to building attacks from the back or the flank. Courage head coach Paul Riley’s box formation with four midfielders clogging the middle of the pitch proved successful at limiting Spirit midfielder Rose LaVelle to chances from distance.

At the beginning of the second half, Courage head coach Paul Riley brought on his three superstars in O’Sullivan, Dunn, and Mewis to give the side a jolt. It paid off quickly for the club with Dunn breaking past the Spirit defense in the 48th minute and hitting a high, looping cross in for Courage forward Lynn  Williams. Williams’ first touch was just a bit heavy forcing a goal kick.

What that sequence showed though was that after being heavily marked in the first half, Williams was finally free to make an impact on the match. In the 50th minute she received a pass in the midfield and proceeded to march directly into Spirit territory, dodging a tackle from Spirit defender Kim Staab. After breaking into the penalty box she hit a low shot past Bledsoe to give the Courage the 1-0 advantage.

Williams wasn’t done though. In the 60th minute, she knocked home her second goal of the match, finishing off a clever cross from Debinha with a low shot towards the far left post. Her two goals added to her solo effort in the Courage’s Challenge Cup opener giving her three goals in two matches.

With the win the Courage move to the top of the NWSL Challenge Cup standings (2-0-0, 6 points). They will face the Chicago Red Stars (0-1-1, 1 point) on Sunday (12:30EST/10:30MT/9:30PST) in an NWSL Championship replay.

As for the Spirit while the 2-0 loss will certainly sting it was an excellent test for the young side who kept up with the two-time defending champion. Things don’t get any easier for Washington though as they will face the Portland Thorns (0-1-1, 1 point) on Sunday (10:00PM EST/9:00PM MT/7:00PM PST).

GAME RECAP

Washington Spirit- Aubrey Bledsoe, Tegan McGrady, Paige Nielsen, Kim Staab, Tori Huster (Natalie Jacobs 83’), Dorian Bailey, Andi Sullivan (Jaye Bossiere 71’), Meggie Dougherty Howard (Jordan DiBiasi 60’), Rose LaVelle (Ashley Sanchez 70’), Bayley Feist, and Ashley Hatch (Katie McClure 83’)

North Carolina Courage- Stephanie Labbe, Jaelene Daniels, Abby Erceg, Kaleigh Kurtz, Addyson Merrick, Meredith Speck (Samantha Mewis 46’), Cari Roccaro (Denise O’Sullivan 46’), Debinha, Lauren Milliet, Lynn Williams (Hailie Mace 82’), and McKenzie Meehan (Crystal Dunn 46’)

Goals- Williams (50’ and 61’)

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