Durham Reporter

The North Carolina Courage secured a 3-1 victory over the Chicago Red Stars on Sunday at WakeMed Soccer Park, maintaining their unbeaten home record for 2024. Goals from Tyler Lussi, Ashley Sanchez, and Meredith Speck contributed to the win, which improved the Courage's season record to 6-1-7.

Mallory Swanson opened the scoring for the Red Stars in the 12th minute with a long-range goal after an impressive solo run. This goal ended a four-match home shutout streak for the Courage and was the first scored by an opposing player at WakeMed Soccer Park this season.

Lussi equalized just four minutes later following a sequence initiated by Riley Jackson's tackle and pass to Brianna Pinto, who set up Lussi for her fourth goal of the season. Jackson also had a notable performance with three tackles and four duels won.

Ashley Sanchez put North Carolina ahead early in the second half with her second goal of the season, ending a stretch of nine matches without multiple goals for the team. The final goal came from Meredith Speck in the 81st minute after Bianca St-Georges' cross from the right wing.

Noteworthy points include Jackson making her first professional start and North Carolina earning its first three points from a losing position this season. The Courage are now unbeaten in six consecutive regular-season meetings with Chicago.