Sights: Courage Blank Seattle, 1-0, at Home for Tenth Win of the Season

The North Carolina Courage defeated the Seattle Reign FC, 1-0, in front of a crowd of 5,249 at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina on August 5. The win improved the Courage to 6 wins and two losses at home this season and on overall record of 10-5-0. The Reign dropped to 6-4-6.

Lynn Williams scored the game-winner in the 32nd minute, bringing her season total to four goals.

The Tournament of Nations, which concluded on August 3, forced both head coaches to make decisions on playing time for participating players. The Reign elected to rest leading scorer Megan Rapinoe as well as Rumi Utsugi, while North Carolina started Abby Dahlkemper, Taylor Smith, Sam Mewis, and Lynn Williams.

Seattle’s Lauren Barnes and Christine Nairn became the first players in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) league to play in 100 league matches. Barnes is the first player to reach the 100-match mark with one team; Nairn, who played her first professional season with Seattle and then was later traded to the Washington Spirit, returned to Seattle this past offseason after a three-year stint with the Spirit.

Jess Fishlock made her return for Seattle after suffering a left knee injury on July 1 against the Portland Thorns.

Shane Lardinois was on the sidelines to capture all of the action.