CARY, N.C. (Aug. 19, 2018) – Orlando Pride (8-8-6, 30 points) fell to the league-leading North Carolina Courage (16-1-5, 53 points) on Sunday morning in a match that originally kicked off on Saturday, but was delayed after inclement weather.
After a delayed kickoff on Saturday night, the match was postponed in the 22nd minute due to thunderstorms. The two teams resumed play at 10 a.m. ET on Sunday morning at WakeMed Soccer Park.
“There were 70 minutes that we were competitive, that we were in the game, where we’re looking comfortable. We give up a cheap goal from failing to do stuff that we emphasize and talk about that we need to do. Then we basically implode,” Pride Head Coach Tom Sermanni said. “We’re still in the hunt here. We’re still right in the mix. But we’ve had opportunities to be much more in the mix.”
The Pride got off to a fast start before the delay, drawing seven corner kicks in the first 20 minutes. Midfielder Emily van Egmond had Orlando’s best opportunity in the opening minutes, but her distance shot was kept out by the far goal post. Alanna Kennedy’s fourth-minute set piece attempt was also tipped over the bar by Courage goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland.
After resuming play, North Carolina broke through in the 75th minute when Lynn Williams’ cross took an unfortunate bounce off Shelina Zadorsky and into the net.
In the 81st minute, Williams found Debinha to make it 2-0. Williams made it 3-0 in the 88th minute.
Pride goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris kept Orlando in the game with a big save on Williams just before half and another in the 71st minute when she palmed Sam Mewis’ header off the goal line.
Orlando continues its playoff push on Saturday, Aug. 25, when it hosts the fourth-place Chicago Red Stars at Orlando City Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
NWSL Match Report
Match: North Carolina Courage vs. Orlando Pride
Date: Aug. 18, 2018 / Aug. 19, 2018
Venue: WakeMed Soccer Park
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. ET
Attendance: 7,606
Weather: Thunderstorms, Humid
Scoring Summary:
NC - Shelina Zadorsky (OG) 75’
NC - Debinha (Lynn Williams) 81’
NC - Lynn Williams (Merritt Mathias) 88’
Lineups:
Orlando Pride: Ashlyn Harris ©; Ali Krieger, Alanna Kennedy, Shelina Zadorsky; Rachel Hill (Chioma Ubogagu 76’), Camila (Sydney Leroux 60’, Christine Nairn 89’), Dani Weatherholt, Emily van Egmond, Marta, Kristen Edmonds; Alex Morgan
Substitutes Not Used: Haley Kopmeyer; Carson Pickett, Monica, Toni Pressley
North Carolina Courage: Katelyn Rowland; Jaelene Hinkle, Abby Erceg ©, Abby Dahlkemper, Merritt Mathias; Debinha (Heather O’Reilly 90+1’), McCall Zerboni, Samantha Mewis, Crystal Dunn (Kristen Hamilton 82’); Lynn Williams, Jessica McDonald (Denise O’Sullivan 66’)
Substitutes Not Used: Sabrina D’Angelo, Kaleigh Kurtz, Meredith Speck, Darian Jenkins
Stats Summary: NC / ORL
Possession: 54.2% / 45.8%
Shots: 18 / 9
Shots on Goal: 5 / 1
Saves: 1 / 3
Corner Kicks: 5 / 11
Fouls: 10 / 11
Offside: 4 / 1
Misconduct Summary:
ORL - Emily van Egmond (Yellow Card) 28’
NC - Merritt Mathias (Yellow Card) 37’
Officials:
Referee: Kevin Broadley
Assistant Referee 1: Cory Richardson
Assistant Referee 2: Tom Felice
Fourth Official: Aaron Gallagher
