{"id":15450,"date":"2018-05-24T22:36:39","date_gmt":"2018-05-25T02:36:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonsoccer.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=15450"},"modified":"2018-05-24T22:36:39","modified_gmt":"2018-05-25T02:36:39","slug":"north-carolina-courage-defeats-orlando-pride","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/2018\/05\/24\/north-carolina-courage-defeats-orlando-pride\/","title":{"rendered":"A Tale of an Own Goal: North Carolina Courage Defeats Orlando Pride in Goalfest"},"content":{"rendered":"

ORLANDO, FLORIDA (May 23, 2018) —<\/strong> Ashlyn Harris is going to have a hard time sleeping these next couple of nights.<\/p>\n

The goalkeeper bobbled a header from Samantha Mewis, which resulted in an own goal. The goal potentially cost Orlando a draw — and a chance to claim a victory over the undefeated North Carolina Courage.<\/p>\n

However, North Carolina continues to remain undefeated after the narrow 4-3 win. The three points in the victory have brought the Courage to 26 points.<\/p>\n

North Carolina Courage Defeats Orlando Pride in Wild Affair<\/strong><\/h1>\n

North Carolina also had goals scored by Jessica McDonald and Debinha. McDonald scored two goals, one in the first half and in the second half.<\/p>\n

Orlando kept pace with North Carolina for the whole match — even after the own goal. Chioma Ubogagu opened up Orlando’s scoring account in the 52nd minute. Only three minutes after the Harris own goal, Alanna Kennedy brought Orlando closer.<\/p>\n

However, Rachel Hill’s final goal would not be enough. Despite Hill evening the match to 3-3, North Carolina took the lead with McDonald’s second goal at the end.<\/p>\n

After the match, Pride Head Coach Tom Sermanni said that his side “kept coming back into the game.”<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cAt times we saw the worst of Orlando Pride and then at times the best of Orlando Pride today,\u201d Sermanni said. \u201cWe were lucky to be down 1-0 at halftime but, again, I think in the second half, our players showed a great deal of character. We came right back into the game.”<\/p>\n

https:\/\/twitter.com\/TheNCCourage\/status\/999665365176279040<\/p>\n

Three Takeaways<\/strong><\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. A tale of two goalkeepers:<\/strong> Despite the own goal, Harris was having a decent night. The first-ever signing of the Pride made five big saves. However, the own goal cost her team a chance to dethrone the undefeated. Meanwhile, Katelyn Rowland earned another start with Sabrina D’Angelo sitting out with an injury. Rowland did not make a single save.<\/li>\n
  2. Kristen Hamilton returns — but not for long:<\/strong> While Samantha Mewis was out with a knee injury, Kristen Hamilton was enjoying a successful run in the Courage midfield. However, injury kept her sidelined for a little over two weeks. Returning against Orlando, Hamilton only featured for a little more than 10 minutes. A former integral part of the midfield, Riley should give her more minutes.<\/li>\n
  3. No catching North Carolina:<\/strong> I have said it every week now: nobody is going to catch the North Carolina Courage. Right now, the Courage has 26 points, which is 12 points ahead of second-place team Seattle Reign FC.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    \n

    That game was WILD. Congrats to the squad @TheNCCourage<\/a>! Zero quit in them! \ud83d\udcaa\ud83c\udffc\ud83d\udc4a\ud83c\udffc\ud83d\udcaa\ud83c\udffc\ud83d\udc4a\ud83c\udffc pic.twitter.com\/R96F4miLzI<\/a><\/p>\n

    — Julie King (@Julie_King8) May 24, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n