Durham Reporter

The North Carolina Courage secured their spot in the 2024 NWSL Playoffs with a 2-1 victory over San Diego Wave FC at WakeMed Soccer Park. The match, attended by 8,496 fans, also supported Hurricane Helene victims.

Aline Gomes and Manaka Matsukubo were instrumental in giving the Courage a 2-0 lead by halftime. Gomes scored her first NWSL goal in the 32nd minute. Matsukubo extended the lead during first-half stoppage time with a header from Ryan Williams' deflected cross. This was Matsukubo's return to club action after winning the Silver Ball at the U-20 World Cup for Japan.

San Diego managed to score through Hanna Lundkvist in the late stages of the second half but could not find an equalizer. Casey Murphy made six saves, while Kaleigh Kurtz had eight crucial clearances for North Carolina. Narumi Miura maintained a high pass accuracy rate of 95%, completing 38 out of 40 attempts, and Ryan Williams won nine out of ten duels.

This win marks North Carolina's sixth playoff appearance in seven seasons. They will face Angel City FC next at WakeMed Soccer Park on October 12.