**CARY, N.C. –** NJ/NY Gotham FC defeated the North Carolina Courage, 2-0, on the road in the second Quarterfinal of the playoffs, sending the side to a Semifinal matchup with Portland Thorns FC on November 5. It was a historic night for a Gotham team that has turned a corner this season, with midfielder Delanie Sheehan scoring in the 45 ^th minute before Yazmeen Ryan added a goal in the first minute of second half stoppage time to cap off the night.
The Courage produced the game’s first chance of the evening in the 31 ^st minute when forward Tess Boade nearly turned in a cross from out wide to go ahead a third of the way through the match. Boade was in the center of the penalty area when she was picked out with a cross from the right flank, but the forward’s attempts to redirect the ball toward goal were in vain as the ball slipped through to the other side and was cleared.
Then, Gotham began to create momentum on the other end with the likes of Jenna Nighswonger and Lynn Williams having a go at goal in the 39 ^th and 42 ^nd minutes. With enough pressure, the Courage eventually gave way and in the 45 ^th minute Sheehan put her side up one and broke the deadlock. The ball was worked out to Sheehan in the wide position in the right side of the box, and Sheehan played a ball toward the bottom far corner that snuck through everyone and into the back of the net.
Two minutes later, North Carolina forward Tyler Lussi headed a chance narrowly wide, and the first half whistle sounded with Gotham slipping in front late on.
In the second half, back-to-back chances for Gotham forward Midge Purce and North Carolina’s Lussi in the 56 ^th and 58 ^th minutes caused temporary anxiety for each team’s respective backline at different points, but North Carolina goalkeeper Casey Murphy and Gotham netminder Mandy Haught were both equal to the efforts. Then, Boade fired wide in the 72 ^nd minute as North Carolina’s search for a goal continued.
Capping things off in dramatic fashion, though, Yazmeen Ryan had been denied a goal in the 86 ^th minute by a great save from Murphy at the near post, but in the first minute of added time she would not be denied a second time as she beat Murphy from close in to seal her team’s place in the Semifinals. Ryan had been played in on the right side of the box as she was coming toward the ball and to a central position. From there, she received a pass and calmly slotted home at the far post to eliminate any hopes of a comeback from the home side.
It was a well-rounded victory for Gotham, who did well to create the bulk of the chances in front of goal. On the other side, forward Kerolin made a difficult task even more difficult, but it is a season to be proud of for head coach Sean Nahas’s side.

Match Highlights

Match Highlights