CARY, N.C. (Sept. 14, 2019) - Orlando Pride (4-15-2, 14 points) dropped a 6-1 decision to the league-leading North Carolina Courage (12-4-4, 40 points) on Saturday night at WakeMed Soccer Park. Rachel Hill scored the lone goal for the Pride on the night, off an assist from Danica Evans.
Orlando Pride Head Coach Marc Skinner:
“Look, they are the best team in this league and have been for a while. I’m disappointed with the scoreline. I think we saw a lot about what we have at Orlando Pride that has to change...So we’ve got lots and lots of work to do. I’ve just said to them though, I understand where we’re at and I understand what we need and I’ll make sure we get it.”
Scoring Recap:
6’ Lynn Williams (Kristen Hamilton) - NC 1, ORL 0
The home team took a one goal lead in the sixth minute after Kristen Hamilton sent an outswinging cross into the area. Lynn Williams was found on the other end, one-timing a volley in for the Courage’s first goal of the night.
37’ Kristen Edmonds (Own Goal) - NC 2, ORL 0
It became a two goal advantage for the home side after an own goal from Kristen Edmonds, as the defender’s clear attempt was mishit and beat an outstretched Ashlyn Harris.
41’ Jessica McDonald (Jaelene Hinkle) - NC 3, ORL 0
The Courage took a three goal lead minutes from half after Jaelene Hinkle found Jessica McDonald on a cross into the box.
78’ McKenzie Meehan (Jessica McDonald) - NC 4, ORL 0
McKenzie Meehan pounced on a ball in the box, giving the Courage a four-goal advantage toward the end of the match.
83’ Rachel Hill (Danica Evans) - NC 4, ORL 1
The Pride cut one back late in the game, after second-half substitute Rachel Hill struck on a shot from the top of the box. After a header from Dani Weatherholt, Danica Evans slipped Hill with an inside pass for the goal.
85’ Heather O’Reilly (McCall Zerboni) - NC 5, ORL 1
The Courage responded through the boot of Heather O’Reilly, who capitalized with a shot from the top of the box.
90+2’ Debinha (Heather O’Reilly) - NC 6, ORL 1
North Carolina finished off the scoring late in the match after Debinha was slipped in on a pass from O’Reilly.
- Match Notes:
- Goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris finished the night with six saves, her second-straight match with a half dozen stops.
- Ashlyn Harris denied the Courage from taking a two-goal lead in the 14th minute, diving to her left to block away a penalty kick attempt from Ashlyn Harris.
- With her 82nd minute goal, Rachel Hill notched her third goal of the year.
- Danica Evans picked up her first assist of the year on Hill’s goal.
Next Match: Orlando will see a bye week before returning to play on Sept. 29, the final road match for the Pride. The team is set to travel to Sky Blue FC, with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.
Scoring Summary:
NC - Lynn Williams (Kristen Hamilton) 6’
NC - Kristen Edmonds (Own Goal) 37’
NC - Jessica McDonald (Jaelene Hinkle) 41’
NC - McKenzie Meehan (Jessica McDonald) 78’
ORL - Rachel Hill (Danica Evans) 83’
NC - Heather O’Reilly (McCall Zerboni) 85’
NC - Debinha (Heather O’Reilly) 90+2’
Misconduct Summary:
ORL - Erin Greening (Yellow Card) 11’
ORL - Abby Elinsky (Yellow Card) 28’
ORL - Alanna Kennedy (Yellow Card) 29’
Lineups/Substitutions:
Orlando Pride - GK Ashlyn Harris ©; D Erin Greening, Ali Krieger, Shelina Zadorsky, Kristen Edmonds; M Claire Emslie (Camila 68’), Alanna Kennedy, Marisa Viggiano (Bridget Callahan 81’), Dani Weatherholt, Abby Elinsky (Rachel Hill 68’); F Danica Evans
Substitutes Not Used: GK Haley Kopmeyer; D Morgan Reid, Julie King; M Jo Boyles
North Carolina - GK Stephanie Labbe; D Heather O’Reilly (90+3’), Abby Dahlkemper, Abby Erceg ©, Jaelene Hinkle; M McCall Zerboni, Denise O’Sullivan, Debinha, Crystal Dunn (Cari Roccaro 72’); F Kristen Hamilton (Jessica McDonald 14’), Lynn Williams (McKenzie Meehan 65’)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Katelyn Rowland; D Merritt Mathias; M Samantha Mewis, Meredith Speck
Details of the Game:
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Weather: Clear
Date: September 14, 2019
Attendance: 9,563
Stats Summary: NC / ORL
Possession: 67.2% / 32.8%
Shots: 23 / 4
Shots on Goal: 11 / 2
Saves: 1 / 6
Corner Kicks: 6 / 1
Fouls: 7 / 9
Offside: 7 / 0
Officials:
REF: Natalie Simon
AR1: Brooke Mayo
AR2: Meghan Mullen
4TH: Laura Rodriguez
