NJ/NY Gotham FC battled their way through to 1-0 win over the Orlando Pride on Wednesday night at Exploria Stadium, with a late winner from forward Margaret Purce making the crucial difference.

Orlando, Florida

– NJ/NY Gotham FC battled their way through to 1-0 win over the Orlando Pride on Wednesday night at Exploria Stadium, with a late winner from forward Margaret Purce making the crucial difference. The first quality opportunity came after just five minutes and fell the way of the visitors. Played in on goal, Gotham FC forward Ifeoma Onumonu was played through on goal and struck a hard effort toward goal with her left foot though it ended up falling wide of the near post. Ten minutes later, Gotham FC had another quality half-chance as midfielder Paige Monaghan surged ahead toward the Pride penalty area and fired an effort that ultimately ended high and wide of goal. Attempting to turn the tide, Orlando then went on the offense and found a great look on goal in the 19 ^th minute. Midfielder Gunny Jónsdóttir found forward Sydney Leroux in the left side of the box, but Leroux’s attempt on goal was saved by Gotham FC goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris. Both sides continued to press ahead but several opportunities were either blocked or could not find the frame the rest of the first half, outside an effort in injury time from Leroux which again was saved by Harris. As the second half grew in intensity, the pair continued to feel each other out and this time the Pride looked like the more likely to open the scoring approaching the hour mark. With one of Orlando’s best looks on goal, Meggie Doughtery Howard fired an effort that looked like the difference maker only to see it hit the left post and bounce away. With all pointing toward a scoreless draw, the visiting Gotham put its desire to have the last laugh into action through forward Margaret Purce. In the 86 ^th minute, Ellie Jean spotted a run from Purce down the center of the field and played her in on goal. Absorbing contact almost immediately after the effort on goal, Purce still converted to put her side up late. Not yet resigning to defeat, however, the Pride saw chances created for both forward Darian Jenkins and defenders Toni Pressley and Kylie Strom all in the final few minutes. Despite their best efforts though, none were able to convert and Gotham FC took all three points. The result means that Orlando has now lost seven of its last eight matches dating back to the end of last season. The win for Gotham means they jump into second place in the East Division through three games played, with the Courage-Spirit game ending honors even. On the other side, the Pride sit in fourth in the division with two losses and a draw.