Midge Purce lifts Gotham FC over Pride with late winner

A Gotham FC win looked unlikely Wednesday night as the team’s 0-0 deadlock with the Orlando Pride held until the waning minutes of the second half.

A moment of individual brilliance from Midge Purce, however, saved the day, as the Gotham FC forward burying the game-winner in the 86^th minute to down Orlando Pride 1-0 at Exploria Stadium.

Executing a well-timed run in behind the Pride’s defense, Purce beat the Orlando keeper, who came off her line, before slotting home the game’s lone goal.

The match-sealing finish went against the run of play, with the Pride firing a flurry of chances until the final whistle.

With Orlando unable to convert in the final third, Gotham clinched their first win of the Challenge Cup, collecting three much-needed points.

Gotham FC sits in second in the East Division through three games, behind the North Carolina Courage, while Orlando falls to fourth.