Gotham FC traveled to Cary, North Carolina on Sunday, October 17, to take on the North Carolina Courage in the pair’s third and final meeting this season. The visitors scored three second-half goals to top the side from the south by a score of 3 to 0 with goals from Margaret “Midge” Purce and Carli Lloyd. The match was presented to Gotham FC fans by Hackensack Meridian Health.
With only three weeks remaining in the NWSL regular season, the three points taken by Gotham FC at Sunday’s game put the team in fifth place in the league standings and above the playoff line with 32 points through 21 games played.
Gotham FC opened the match by testing the Courage keeper, narrowly missing the chance to open the scoring after a scuffle in the box in the sixth minute. The hosts responded with a handful of near chances of their own — including four by Lynn Williams in the first half — but were unable to capitalize in front of goal. Lloyd, Ifeoma Onumonu, and Purce all found their way through the Courage backline in dangerous areas as the first half came to a close, causing the Courage defense to scramble to keep the match scoreless.
Eight minutes out from the halftime break, Gotham FC lunged for the lead as Purce finished a misplayed clearance in the center of the box, putting the visitors up 1-0. In the 64th minute, Purce snagged a brace, scoring a rebound off an Onumonu shot after a flurry of activity in front of goal. Then, just three minutes later, Lloyd made it 3-0 after receiving a pass from Estelle Johnson and ripping a low shot from distance, which found its way through traffic, past a diving Casey Murphy, and into the back of North Carolina’s net.
Goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan made five saves and the Gotham FC backline blocked eight shots to smother the robust North Carolina attack and earn the clean sheet — the squad’s eighth this season.
Next, Gotham FC will travel to face Kansas City on Friday, Oct. 22. Then the team will play Racing Louisville FC twice, first in Kentucky on Thursday, Oct. 28, and then again at Red Bull Arena on Sunday, Oct. 31. The matchup will be the last of the 2021 NWSL regular season. Tickets are still available and can be purchased HERE.
For more information on Gotham FC fans are encouraged to click on the link seen here:
https://gothamfc.sportngin.com/