Photo Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images
The North Carolina Courage beat the Orlando Pride, 5-0, at WakeMed Soccer Park on Friday night, the largest margin of victory in the NWSL this season. It was an important win for the Courage after they fell 1-4 to the Utah Royals in their previous game.
Forward Evelyn Ijeh led the way for North Carolina, becoming the first Swedish player to score a hat trick in the NWSL. The three-goal haul brought Ijeh’s season tally to seven. There were other big milestone contributions among the Courage as well.
Lauryn Thompson scored her first professional goal in the fourth minute, making the Wake Forest, NC, native the youngest player to score for the Courage in the NWSL regular season. Thompson would later assist Ijeh’s second goal. England international Erica Meg Parkinson recorded the assist on Thompson’s goal, the 18-year-old’s first assist since joining during the summer window, making just the third teenager-to-teenager goal in NWSL history. Ijeh herself is just 24, meaning the future of the Courage looks bright.
Ashley Sanchez capped off the win with her 10th goal of the season, putting her second in the Golden Boot race. She also assisted Ijeh’s first goal of the night.
It is also notable that a key piece of North Carolina’s defense, captain Natalie Jacobs, started a match for the first time since March 21. Additionally, Norwegian midfielder Vilde Bøe Risa, who signed with the Courage this week, made her NWSL debut in the 82nd minute.
