Cary, NC - The North Carolina Courage close out the 2019 regular season this Saturday, October 12 against Sky Blue FC at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park. The 2019 Shield-winners will receive the Shield from NWSL President, Amanda Duffy, in a postgame ceremony. This is the third-consecutive season that the Courage clinched the NWSL Shield, making it something they have done every year since relocating to Cary.
Saturday is Fan Appreciation Night presented by Coastal Credit Union. The first 3,000 fans will receive team posters as they enter the stadium. Thanks to supportive fans, the NC Courage broke an attendance record in 2019 for a regular-season match, hosting 9,563 fans on September 14.
The North Carolina Courage are expecting another great turnout for Saturday's game so fans are encouraged to arrive early. Fans can take the Red and Blue Express to the game for free parking and free beer. Please RSVP here for the Red and Blue Express.
The NC Courage need to score three goals during this match to beat the record for most goals scored in an NWSL regular season. The 2018 Courage team holds the current record of 53 goals. Lynn Williams leads the team in goals scored with 12 goals, followed by Kristen Hamilton with nine goals.
Fans can expect an eventful finale as United States Women’s National Team captain Carli Lloyd comes to town. In the last meeting between the two teams, the Courage defeated Sky Blue FC, 2-1. After a Sky Blue FC own goal in the first minute of the game, Crystal Dunn scored the eventual game-winner in the 57th minute. Lloyd scored Sky Blue’s goal in the match.
Since the NC Courage clinched the 2019 NWSL Shield, the team will host an NWSL Semifinal match on Sunday, October 20. Paul Riley’s team will host either Reign FC or the Portland Thorns. The opponent will be determined following the two teams’ games on Saturday evening. Tickets to the NWSL Semifinal can be purchased on Ticketmaster.com or by calling the Coastal Credit Union Box office at 919.459.8144.
Players to Watch:
North Carolina Courage- #9 Lynn Williams
Williams leads the Courage in goals scored with 12, all of which have been scored inside the box. She also has five assists in her 21 games played. Williams will test the Sky Blue backline with her speed on Saturday.
Sky Blue FC- #19 Elizabeth Eddy
Eddy, a former member of the Courage, will look to attack and score goals against her old team. Eddy has been a starter since the trade. She has scored one goal and one assist with New Jersey.
