The North Carolina Courage are heading to the Challenge Cup semifinals after playing to a 2-2 draw with the Washington Spirit on Saturday.
The Courage clinched the East Division with 12 points, while the Spirit finished in second with 10 and await their playoff fate.
The second-place team with the most points will join the three Division champions in the Challenge Cup semifinals. Washington could secure that spot if the Portland Thorns fail to earn points in their match against Angel City on Sunday night.
They're in đ@TheNCCourage punch their ticket to the 2022 #NWSLChallengeCup semifinals as the winners of the East Division â˝ď¸ pic.twitter.com/1zZvmb78nB— National Womenâs Soccer League (@NWSL) April 23, 2022
They're in đ@TheNCCourage punch their ticket to the 2022 #NWSLChallengeCup semifinals as the winners of the East Division â˝ď¸ pic.twitter.com/1zZvmb78nB
The Spirit and the Courage each came out strong on Saturday, with their attacks pressing from the starting whistle.
The Spirit notched the breakthrough goal in the 15th minute, when Ashley Hatch capitalized on an error by the North Carolina defense to put her side up 1-0.
Hammered home by @ash_hatch33 đ¨@WashSpirit | #ONESPIRIT pic.twitter.com/e1uGIHPDIs— National Womenâs Soccer League (@NWSL) April 23, 2022
Hammered home by @ash_hatch33 đ¨@WashSpirit | #ONESPIRIT pic.twitter.com/e1uGIHPDIs
Debinha converted a penalty kick just before the break to send the Courage into halftime tied 1-1.
Tucked home by @Debinha7 đ¤@TheNCCourage | #CourageUnitesUs pic.twitter.com/agelA5r7cs— National Womenâs Soccer League (@NWSL) April 23, 2022
Tucked home by @Debinha7 đ¤@TheNCCourage | #CourageUnitesUs pic.twitter.com/agelA5r7cs
North Carolina got on the scoreboard again in the 52nd minute courtesy of Malia Berkley. The defender sent a rocket from outside the 18-yard box into the upper left corner for her first NWSL goal.
Marking her first #NWSL goal in style đąA rocket from @millib13 đ@TheNCCourage | #CourageUnitesUs pic.twitter.com/QCnBr5PB8H— National Womenâs Soccer League (@NWSL) April 23, 2022
Marking her first #NWSL goal in style đąA rocket from @millib13 đ@TheNCCourage | #CourageUnitesUs pic.twitter.com/QCnBr5PB8H
The hosts had a chance to extend their lead in the 72nd minute when they were awarded their second penalty kick of the game. Goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe made the save against Debinha to keep the Spirit in the match.
The Brick Wall as we know it đ§ą@AubreyBledsoe | @WashSpirit pic.twitter.com/f9qzmoOp5l— National Womenâs Soccer League (@NWSL) April 23, 2022
The Brick Wall as we know it đ§ą@AubreyBledsoe | @WashSpirit pic.twitter.com/f9qzmoOp5l
Awarded a penalty kick of their own in the 75th minute, the Spirit turned to Ashley Hatch, who slotted it in for the late equalizer.
The equalizer courtesy of @ash_hatch33â¨@WashSpirit | #ONESPIRIT pic.twitter.com/SUzZRotzRi— National Womenâs Soccer League (@NWSL) April 23, 2022
The equalizer courtesy of @ash_hatch33â¨@WashSpirit | #ONESPIRIT pic.twitter.com/SUzZRotzRi
The 2-2 draw was enough to send the Courage through to the semifinals, while the rest of the weekend’s results determine if the Spirit move on.