North Carolina Courage defeat Orlando Pride on penalties

Curt Johnson Chief Soccer Officer | North Carolina Courage Website

By Durham Reporter

Jul 20, 2024

The North Carolina Courage triumphed over the Orlando Pride in a penalty shootout, 5-4, following a 1-1 draw in regulation during their opening game of the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup at WakeMed Soccer Park on Saturday.

With this victory, the Courage secured two points in the Group E standings of the midseason competition. Racing Louisville's win against Rayadas de Monterrey places the Courage in second place ahead of their upcoming match against Louisville.

Orlando goalkeeper McKinley Crone saved the Courage’s first penalty, while Orlando successfully converted their initial four attempts. However, debutant goalkeeper Marisa Bova saved Orlando’s fifth and sixth kicks, allowing Narumi Miura to score the decisive penalty in the seventh round.

Manaka Matsukubo scored her second goal of 2024 just before halftime, assisted by Ryan Williams. Ashley Sanchez played a key role in setting up Williams for the assist. Orlando equalized late in the game with a rebound goal in the 82nd minute, sending the match to penalties.

Match Notes:

Narumi Miura’s penalty kick in the seventh round secured the win for the Courage.

Goalkeeper Marisa Bova made two crucial saves during her debut to help secure victory. The Courage drafted Bova from Purdue in 2022.

Up Next:

The NC Courage will face Racing Louisville at Lynn Family Stadium on Friday, July 26, at 8 p.m. ET. The match will be broadcast on Paramount+ and CBS’ Golazo Network.

Box Score

NCC (4-3-3): Marisa Bova; Dani Weatherholt, Malia Berkely, Kaleigh Kurtz ©, Ryan Williams; Narumi Miura, Riley Jackson, Ashley Sanchez (Brianna Pinto – 69’); Meredith Speck (Haley Hopkins – 69’), Manaka Matsukubo (Victoria Pickett – 86’), Tyler Lussi (Olivia Wingate – 61’).

Subs Not Used: Hensley Hancuff, Jenna Winebrenner, Talia Staude, Denise O’Sullivan, Landy Mertz.

ORL (4-3-3): McKinley Crone; Carrie Lawrence, Celia Jiménez Delgado, Kylie Strom©, Brianna Martinez (Claire Winter – 73’); Haley McCutcheon, Morgan Gautrat (Ally Lemos – 58’), Summer Yates (Marianna Larroquette – 66’); Amanda Allen (Alex Kerr – 66’), Julie Doyle (Evelina Duljan – 73’), Ally Watt.

Subs Not Used: Sofia Manner, Kerry Abello, Kenna Caldwell.

Score:

NCC: 1

ORL: 1

Goals:

NCC: M. Matsukubo – 44’ (R. Williams)

ORL: C. Jiménez Delgado – 82’

Penalties:

Round 1(0-1): ORL: M. Larroquette (score) | NCC: R. Jackson (save)

Round 2 (1-2): ORL: A. Lemos (score) | NCC: K. Kurtz (score)

Round 3 (2-3): ORL: A. Watt (score) | NCC: O. Wingate (score)

Round 4 (3-4): ORL: K. Strom (score) | NCC: M. Berkeley (score)