West Wake News

The North Carolina Courage secured a 1-1 draw against Angel City FC on Saturday night at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C. The match saw Olivia Wingate score a last-minute equalizer, preserving the home team's unbeaten streak. Despite the draw, North Carolina was eliminated from top-four contention and will enter the NWSL Quarterfinals as the fifth seed.

In front of 7,037 fans, the Courage dominated the first half with seven out of eight shots and held 60% possession but failed to convert their chances. Angel City responded strongly in the second half with four of five shots on target. Casey Murphy played a key role for North Carolina by stopping three shots during this period.

Angel City's Christen Press broke the deadlock in added time with a goal that seemed to secure victory for her team. However, Denise O’Sullivan set up Wingate for an equalizer just minutes later, maintaining North Carolina's record home unbeaten streak which now stands at 21 matches since April 2023.

"Denise O’Sullivan played a brilliant chip out wide," leading to Wingate's decisive goal, according to reports from the game.

North Carolina has excelled in scoring through substitutes this season, with ten goals coming from players off the bench—more than any other team in the league. O'Sullivan also recorded her third assist of the season during this match.

Looking ahead, North Carolina will travel to face Bay FC on October 19 for their final regular-season away game. They aim to tie Seattle's NWSL record for consecutive home games without defeat when they host Washington on November 2.