Racing Louisville’s run through the UKG NWSL Challenge Cup ended with a 2-0 defeat to the North Carolina Courage in Saturday’s final at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C.
It was Racing’s first appearance in an NWSL-sponsored knockout tournament final after making club history by reaching its first NWSL tournament semifinal of any kind.
Racing’s trip to the final was highlighted by a 1-0 win against OL Reign in Seattle in the Challenge Cup semifinal and a competition record-tying four-match winning streak to open the group stage.
On Saturday, the final was disrupted by thunderstorms in the area after 11 scoreless minutes of action, causing a two-hour delay.
Not long after the restart, North Carolina forward Kerolin gave the Courage a first-half lead in the 28th minute, scoring near post from a tight angle. A 54th-minute goal from Manaka Matsukubo added insurance to Carolina’s lead.
Racing didn’t go quietly, with substitute Nadia Nadim’s header off a Savannah DeMelo cross hitting the crossbar in the 57th minute. Twenty minutes later, Ary Borges had a one-timer off a corner saved by sprawling North Carolina goalkeeper Casey Murphy.
Louisville goalkeeper Katie Lund kept her team competitive throughout the contest, making a Challenge Cup final record nine saves.
With the Challenge Cup in the books, Racing now turns its focus to a playoff push, with the club two points out of sixth place with four matches left in the regular season.
Louisville hosts Houston at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Lynn Family Stadium.
Challenge Cup Final Summary: Racing Louisville FC at North Carolina Courage
UKG NWSL Challenge Cup Final
Date: Sept. 9, 2023
Venue: WakeMed Soccer Park
Kickoff: 12:37 p.m. ET
Weather: 77 degrees, cloudy
Scoring
Racing Louisville (0, 0, 0)
North Carolina (1, 1, 2)
Goals
North Carolina
28’ Kerolin (Narumi Miura)
54’ Manaka Matsukubo (Tess Boade)
Lineups
Racing Louisville FC (4-3-3): 1 – Katie Lund; 2 – Lauren Milliet, 15 – Julia Lester (79’ 9 – Kayla Fischer), 20 – Abby Erceg (c), 25 – Rebecca Holloway (33’ 17 – Maddie Pokorny); 4 – Elli Pikkujämsä, 7 – Savannah DeMelo, 8 – Ary Borges; 11 – Thembi Kgatlana, 22 – Kirsten Davis (79 29 – Uchenna Kanu), 5 – Paige Monaghan (54’ 10 – Nadia Nadim)
Subs not used: 18 – Hillary Beall; 3 – Zaneta Wyne, 13 – Emina Ekic, 21 – Parker Goins, 26 – Taylor Aylmer
Head Coach: Kim Björkegren
North Carolina Courage (4-3-3): 1 – Casey Murphy; 13 – Ryan Williams, 3 – Kaleigh Kurtz, 7 – Malia Berkely, 12 – Emily Fox; 10 – Denise O’Sullivan (c) (84’ 19 – Frankie Tagliaferri), 6 – Narumi Miura, 34 – Manaka Matsukubo (71’ 8 – Brianna Pinto); 9 – Kerolin Nicoli (84’ 14 – Tyler Lussi), 28 – Tess Boade (68’ 20 – Olivia Wingate), 5 – Haley Hopkins (84’ 22 – Mille Gelj)
Subs not used: 0 – Katelyn Rowland; 11 – Brittany Ratcliffe, 17 – Rikke Madsen, 23 – Kiki Pickett
Head Coach: Sean Nahas
Stats Summary: Racing Louisville / North Carolina
Shots: 10 / 14
Shots on Goal: 1 / 11
Expected goals: 1.06 / 1.16
Possession: 42.9% / 57.1%
Fouls: 8 / 10
Offside: 2 / 0
Corner Kicks: 7 / 5
Discipline Summary
Racing Louisville:
73’ Savannah DeMelo (yellow)
North Carolina:
45’ Kaleigh Kurtz (yellow)
Referee: Alex Billeter
VAR: Carol Anne Chenard
