Highlights: North Carolina Tops Louisville in 3-2 Thriller

North Carolina pulled away in the final minutes of a 3-2 shootout with Racing Louisville, winning their second game of the Challenge Cup Monday.

The Courage struggled to break down Racing Louisville’s defense in the opening 45 minutes, but a pair of goals from Debinha in the second half helped secure the win.

Racing Louisville managed to strike first, with a perfectly placed header from Cece Kizer in the 24^th minute.

✌️ in 2️⃣ at home for @cecekizer!
#LOUvNC | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #CC21 pic.twitter.com/pv578vH7EP

— National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) April 26, 2021

Less than ten minutes later, North Carolina equalized off a short corner, picking out Kristen Hamilton for a near-post header.

You: there's no such thing as a perfect header@khamilton17:
#LOUvNC | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #CC21 pic.twitter.com/RGB9RYHeJ5

— National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) April 26, 2021

Tied at half, the Courage came out of the locker room with a mobilized offense, stretching Racing Louisville’s backline.

In the 57^th minute, Debinha did what Debinha does best, blasting a golazo from the top of the box.

Debinha.

That's it, that's the tweet.#LOUvNC | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #CC21 pic.twitter.com/RZx4pOc9NT

— National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) April 26, 2021

Not to be outdone, Jorian Baucom scored her first NWSL goal in the 75^th minute, tying the game with less than 20 minutes to go.

A banger from Baucom 💥#LOUvNC | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #CC21 pic.twitter.com/NnOPlyLPwL

— National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) April 26, 2021

Debinha continued to cause problems for Racing’s defense, forcing a Louisville own goal in the 85^th minute of the game, which proved to be the decider.

Last touched by Louisville, but Debinha is inevitable 😳#LOUvNC | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #CC21 pic.twitter.com/IUiKemcsh3

— National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) April 26, 2021

The Courage are now 2-1-0 ahead of their match-up against Orlando on Saturday, May 1 at 7 pm ET.

Louisville will take on current East Division leader, Gotham FC, this Sunday at 12:30 pm ET.