{"id":18287,"date":"2018-08-09T06:00:10","date_gmt":"2018-08-09T10:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonsoccer.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=18287"},"modified":"2018-08-09T02:46:54","modified_gmt":"2018-08-09T06:46:54","slug":"north-carolina-courage-claims-second-straight-nwsl-shield","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/2018\/08\/09\/north-carolina-courage-claims-second-straight-nwsl-shield\/","title":{"rendered":"North Carolina Courage Claim Second-Straight NWSL Shield With Win Over Portland Thorns"},"content":{"rendered":"

CARY, NORTH CAROLINA (Aug. 5, 2018) —<\/strong>\u00a0It’s official: nobody is going to catch up to the North Carolina Courage.<\/p>\n

Entering the last four weeks of NWSL regular-season action, the North Carolina Courage confirmed a season-long first place title. For the second year in a row, the Courage have claimed the NWSL Shield.<\/p>\n

North Carolina Courage Claims Second-Straight NWSL Shield in Defeating Portland Thorns<\/strong><\/h1>\n

The award is given to the top club in the league.<\/p>\n

North Carolina began the season with a 12-game unbeaten streak. However, after a loss to the Utah Royals FC, North Carolina began another unbeaten-streak.<\/p>\n

Now, the club hasn’t lost a game in seven.<\/p>\n

With only four matches left this season, North Carolina locked its playoff spot last month. It didn’t take long for the club to take first place and run away with it. The consistent play from all club members — including the national team replacement players — has propelled North Carolina to the top.<\/p>\n

Last year, the club won the NWSL Shield and made it to the NWSL Championship match. However, a hard-fought battle left the Portland Thorns FC as the league champions.<\/p>\n

On Sunday night, the tables were turned. North Carolina extracted revenge over the Thorns. Lynn Williams opened the scoring up in the 37th minute. She recorded a second goal right before the halftime whistle blew.<\/p>\n

Jessica McDonald assisted the first goal.<\/p>\n

After the match, Williams said that it’s “great” that the Courage captured their second NWSL Shield title.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cI think it shows that all of our hard work in the regular season has paid off,” Williams said. “But we\u2019re staying hungry. We want to continue out the season and continue building and see how far we can go with this thing. It\u2019s a great feeling. I think we\u2019ll go back tonight and have a little celebration of just like, \u2018We\u2019ve done this,\u2019 but the season\u2019s not over.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the second half, the Thorns scored to cut the deficit in half. Lindsey Horan scored in the 49th minute. Tobin Heath assisted the goal for her U.S. Women’s National Team teammate.<\/p>\n

\n

\ud83d\udee1 Back2Back \ud83d\udee1@TheNCCourage<\/a> clinched its second straight @NWSL<\/a> Shield this weekend. @lynnraenie<\/a> led the way with a brace, while @Lindseyhoran11<\/a> continued her strong @ThornsFC<\/a> season with a goal.pic.twitter.com\/rRde5ZiMp3<\/a><\/p>\n

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) August 6, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n