NWSL Lifetime Game of the Week 4

NWSL Week 4 North Carolina Courage vs. Utah Royals FC Recap

(Photo courtesy of NWSL)

The NWSL Lifetime Game of the Week returned to Cary, North Carolina for the second time this season. History was made as the league’s two newest teams went head to head for the first time ever. The North Carolina Courage (4-0-1, 13pts) remain the NWSL’s only undefeated team after they played the Utah Royals (0-1-3, 4pts) to a 2-2 draw on Saturday at WakeMed Soccer Park.

In a game that featured four unassisted goals, North Carolina defender Merritt Mathias opened the scoring in the 6^th minute with a world-class finish from 28 yards out. This rocket blast was her fifth career goal in NWSL and her first as a member of the Courage.

The entire first half went in favor of the Courage. North Carolina’s offense ended the half with six shots, one on goal, fourteen crosses and seven corner kicks. The Courage defense was rock-solid.  The only opportunity the Royals had in North Carolina territory was when USWNT star Kelley O'Hara got into the attacking third and had the lone shot for Utah that was handled easily by Courage goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland, who was making her first start of the season.

The Utah Royals took advantage of two misplayed balls from North Carolina to take the lead in the second half. Before this game, Utah had not scored a goal in 267 minutes of play. Finally, forward Katie Stengel broke that streak and put one away for the equalizer. With that goal, Stengel broke a long scoreless streak of her own (she had not scored a goal in the NWSL since September 2016). The Royals took a 2-1 lead after forward Brittany Ratcliffe found the back of the net in the 66th minute.

In the 80th minute, the Courage would answer back and tie the game. After a poor clearance by Utah goalkeeper Abby Smith, forward/midfielder/defender/everything Crystal Dunn connected with the ball and knocked it into an empty net to make the score 2-2.

Player of the Match:

North Carolina Courage defender Merritt Mathias

(Photo courtesy of NWSL)

Merritt Mathias is the “Player of the Match” because, well, did you see that goal?

What’s next?

The Courage will hit the road to take on the Houston Dash on Saturday April 28 at 3:30p.m. ET for the next NWSL Lifetime Game of the Week.

The Royals will continue their search for the first win in franchise history when they return home to play against the Portland Thorns on Saturday April 28 at 9 p.m. ET. This match will be streaming live on go90.