**HARRISON, N.J.** – Gotham FC outlasted both an extensive weather delay and the North Carolina Courage as a goal from forward Lynn Williams in the second half helped secure all three points at Red Bull Arena. The goal is the 60 ^th of Williams’s career and comes on the same night that the forward joined another elite group having registered her 10,000 ^th minute played in the league.
Action kicked off with an opportunity for Gotham after 19 minutes. Streaking forward and without attacker Midge Purce for this one, forward Yazmeen Ryan latched onto the end of a through pass and worked play into the penalty area. From there, Ryan pulled a pass back for defender Kelley O’Hara, who did not hesitate in ripping an effort at the first time of asking. However, her shot clipped the outside of the post on the way out resulting in a goal kick for the Courage.
Nearly 20 minutes later, Gotham was back on the attacking end with an opportunity for Ryan. Midfielder Kristie Mewis was in possession and worked the ball all the way to the right side again for Ryan. Cutting inside and onto her left foot, Ryan’s cross-come-shot somehow wriggled through the defense and to the back post where teammates Kristen Edmonds and Lynn Williams were waiting. However, neither were able to get on the end of it and the match remained scoreless.
Then, just as halftime came looming, so did an extensive weather delay that saw the sides paused in action for just over 90 minutes. The faithful fans who stuck out the delay were ready for the restart at Red Bull Arena, and just minutes into the second half, Williams nearly gave them something to cheer for. With forward Ifeoma Onumonu in possession at the top of the penalty area, she spotted Williams in space just behind her and laid off a ball for her teammate. Williams then attempted to curl a right-footed shot around Courage goalkeeper Casey Murphy, though the netminder was equal to the effort.
The Courage gained a little attacking momentum as Gotham goalkeeper Abby Smith was forced to parry a Narumi Miura cross away from play in the 52 ^nd minute before making a vital save on forward Brittany Ratcliffe’s shot in the 58 ^th minute. Ratcliffe had collected a blocked shot by Narumi and attempted to sweep the ball into the lower left corner only for Smith to get low and get behind the effort. There was a bit of a spill in front of goal, leaving Ratcliffe a second opportunity that Smith was again equal to sending the ball into an aerial spiral. From there, Narumi was able to get her head on the ball but watched as her own follow up attempt sailed wide.
After minutes of back-and-forth play, Gotham finally got what they came for in the 80 ^th minute following a brilliant run and pass by Yazmeen Ryan that resulted in a cool finish by Lynn Williams. Ryan was streaking down the right side and got in front of her defender thanks to her pace as she charged toward the endline. Then, lifting her head with poise, Ryan was able to buy enough time to spot the late run of Williams just ahead of the penalty area. Ryan then pulled the ball back for Williams, whose right foot calmly guided the ball to the lower left corner of the goal to establish Gotham’s lead.
Gotham had another brief look on goal as Edmonds had a shot from distance saved in the 84 ^th minute, but it was North Carolina who had one more golden opportunity inside the box in the sixth and final minute of added time. Frankie Tagliaferri was on the ball and found the run of teammate Brianna Pinto in the box. Tagliaferri’s delivery was on point for Pinto, who was running to meet the cross, but despite her making solid contact she could only react in frustration as her shot flew over the crossbar and out of play for the last real chance of the match.
In the end, Gotham kept the spoils for a third win in four games, including their first at home on the year. Meanwhile, a disappointing start to the season continues for North Carolina, who have now dropped their last three league games after starting the year with a narrow victory over Kansas City.

Match Highlights

Match Highlights