The Denver Summit vs North Carolina Courage matchup ended in a 2-0 road win for the Courage on Wednesday, the only NWSL match on the midweek slate.
Penalty Gives NC Courage 2nd-Half Lead Over Denver Summit
Both teams traded chances through a scoreless first half. Then, three minutes after the restart, Summit defender Eva Gaetino brought down Erica Parkinson in the box. Courage midfielder Riley Jackson stepped up and buried the penalty in the 48th minute.
Denver Summit FC continued to push for an equalizer but could not find a way to break through in the end. In the 81st minute, Colorado native Ally Schlegel doubled the lead for North Carolina. She charged at goal and slipped one past keeper Abby Smith to slam the door.
Behind them, veteran Kailen Sheridan made six saves for her fifth clean sheet of the year. It was also the Courage's second straight shutout.
One late twist stood out before kickoff. Denver captain Lindsey Heaps, who also wears the armband for the USWNT, was a surprise scratch after initially being named to the starting XI.
Both sides turn around quickly. On Saturday, the Courage visit the Washington Spirit while the Summit host the surging Utah Royals in their next NWSL matches.
