**Cary, North Carolina** – The North Carolina Courage defeated the Chicago Red Stars, 4-0, behind a brace from forward Diana Ordoñez, a debut goal for midfielder Fuka Nagano and another first NWSL goal for Rylee Baisden in a complete performance by the hosts.
It didn’t take long for the Courage attack to get going with Red Stars goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher feeling the pressure from the hosts early on. Earning a corner kick in the 10 ^th minute, Courage defender Carson Pickett came to take at the far side. Whipping her ball in, the delivery made perfect connection with the head of forward Diana Ordoñez, who was able to get enough on the effort to sneak past Naeher and produce the game’s first goal. For Ordoñez, it was a remarkable fifth straight game on the scoresheet in her rookie season as she upped her season total to nine goals, just two off the front.
Then, just a few minutes later, North Carolina threatened again as midfielder Brianna Pinto struck the post with an effort in the 25 ^th minute. Receiving a pass near the top of the 18-yard box, Pinto opted to take a look at goal and curl a left-footed effort toward the right side of Naeher’s goal. Getting low to push the ball away, Naeher got just enough on the shot to repel it off the post and out for a corner that the Red Stars defense eventually got clear.
At the half, though, it was the lone goal from North Carolina that made the difference despite attempts from the likes of Mallory Pugh, Bianca St-Georges, and more for Chicago.
Into the second half, the Red Stars came dangerously close to finding their equalizer just four minutes after the restart through midfielder Vanessa DiBernardo. As the Red Stars worked the ball ahead, a pass just outside the 18-yard box found the onrushing DiBernardo some 20 yards out from goal. Striking the ball at the first time asking, DiBernardo watched as it sailed beautifully toward goal but ultimately clanged off the crossbar in what was easily Chicago’s best chance to this point in the match.
North Carolina worked their way back into the game, with another good opportunity falling to the head of Pinto just after the hour mark. On a corner kick toward the near side, Pickett’s delivery to the back post landed on Pinto’s head, who was unable to beat Naeher from close in but did win another corner kick. On that ensuing corner, the Courage took advantage and jumped two in front as a loose ball in the box was pounced on by midfielder Fuka Nagano, who scored her first NWSL goal in just her second game. As the ball bounced around the penalty area following a failed clearance, Nagano was in the right place at the right time to smash home and put her side ahead a second goal.
The night then went from good to great for the Courage as the forward Ordoñez scored her second goal of the night to put the game out of reach for the Red Stars. The Courage had worked the ball around the box well and in keeping possession, slipped in Ordoñez in space on the left side of the box. The Mexican forward then cut hard back away from goal to fool a defender and slotted the ball to the far right post with her right foot to go three to the good and score her 10 ^th goal of the season.
Then, as time was winding down in regulation, North Carolina’s Rylee Baisden tapped home a pass from forward Kerolin to put the Courage up four and seal the fate of the match in a big win for the hosts. As Kerolin cut toward the endline, she then pulled the ball back for Baisden in the box who had little problem sending the ball to the far post and in past Naeher.
In the end, it was an impressive 4-0 win for the North Carolina Courage, who needed a result heading into the home stretch of the regular season. The clean sheet will help boost North Carolina’s confidence, while the Red Stars will aim to bounce back quickly from defeat as they fight for a playoff position.

Match Highlights

Match Highlights