North Carolina Courage midfielder [**Sam Mewis** ](https://www.nwslsoccer.com/players/view/4tcmt910n2lj88n5m0aqoddcl)has been named Player of the Week for Week 16 by the NWSL Media Association.Mewis scored two goals as the Courage earned two road wins in Week 16 to increase their lead at the top of the table to 35 points, four points clear of the second-place Chicago Red Stars. Both of Mewis’ goals came in a 2-1 road win over Seattle, to hand the Reign their first home loss of the season. The rare visitor win at Memorial Stadium also snapped the Reign’s 15-game unbeaten streak at Memorial Stadium. [Youtube oembed has failed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDaEz8HSyZA] Mewis started the play that would become the first goal of the game in Seattle, sending a ball from right midfield across the to the left for [**Jaelene Hinkle**](https://www.nwslsoccer.com/players/view/6yewao79nhfa4fct6bqfw5bdh), who found [**Jess McDonald**](https://www.nwslsoccer.com/players/view/2qqged8hw4lzh6u8r81kc22fp) on the left flank. McDonald dribbled into the box and passed to [**Lynn Williams**](https://www.nwslsoccer.com/players/view/cm6fzm8v38ti0aubu0q4v717t), who laid it back for Mewis, now at the top of the 18. The Courage midfielder took the one-time strike with her right foot, and hammered it past Reign goalkeeper [**Haley Kopmeyer**](https://www.nwslsoccer.com/players/view/9bhn0azn3wb2wgdczcox6u66t) to make it 1-0. After the Reign equalized, Mewis hit the game-winner in the 74th minute. Courage forward [**Ashley Hatch**](https://www.nwslsoccer.com/players/view/b9d4fqz6ezz2azklpghb9kyjt) sent a long throw-in into the box. Mewis won the initial header and then cleaned up the rebound after a missed clearance by the Reign. Mewis has played every minute so far this season, tallying four goals and three assists along the way. She has scored or assisted on four game-winning goals this season. Mewis is the first member of the North Carolina Courage to win the Player of the Week award this season. It’s also the first time Mewis has ever won the award. *The NWSL Player of the Week is selected each week of the regular season by the NWSL Media Association, a collection of writers that cover the league on a consistent basis. For more information on the NWSL Media Association, follow them on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/NWSLmedia).*

Match Highlights

Match Highlights