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 24th 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
✌️ in 2️⃣ at home for @cecekizer! #LOUvNC | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #CC21 pic.twitter.com/pv578vH7EP
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
You: there's no such thing as a perfect header@khamilton17: #LOUvNC | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #CC21 pic.twitter.com/RGB9RYHeJ5
Tied at half, the Courage came out of the locker room with a mobilized offense, stretching Racing Louisville’s backline.
In the 57th 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
Debinha.That's it, that's the tweet.#LOUvNC | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #CC21 pic.twitter.com/RZx4pOc9NT
Not to be outdone, Jorian Baucom scored her first NWSL goal in the 75th 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
A banger from Baucom 💥#LOUvNC | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #CC21 pic.twitter.com/NnOPlyLPwL
Debinha continued to cause problems for Racing’s defense, forcing a Louisville own goal in the 85th 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
Last touched by Louisville, but Debinha is inevitable 😳#LOUvNC | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #CC21 pic.twitter.com/IUiKemcsh3
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.