Late goal sends Pride to draw against Courage in Challenge Cup
Another late goal left the Orlando Pride reeling as they drew 1-1 against the North Carolina Courage to open up the 2023 UKG Challenge Cup.
Orlando scored first in the 56th minute when Ally Watt’s shot found the back of the net. Courage goalkeeper Casey Murphy got a hand to it but was unable to keep it out of the back of the net. Minutes later, Orlando was called for a handball and North Carolina was awarded a penalty, but a VAR review overturned the call.
Newly signed Pride forward Maliah Morris made her debut in the 71st minute, coming on for Viviana Villacorta. The young forward is filling in for the injured Julie Doyle and acquitted herself well in her first professional game.
Pride goalkeeper Carly Nelson also got her first start for the season as coach Seb Hines rotated the squad for the match. She looked increasingly more confident and commanding as the game progressed. An excellent save in the 88th minute with Courage forward Kerolin all alone with a chance to score looked to seal the win for the Pride.
Unfortunately for Orlando, Courage midfielder Denise O’Sullivan scored an impressive goal with the last kick of the game. It’s the third match in a row for the Pride that has ended in disappointment at the end of stoppage time.
“I think there’s an element of fear,” said Hines. “We’re almost thinking, ‘This is going to happen again.’ And we have to get over that, and we have to get through that.”
Next, the Pride travel to face the Kansas City Current in NWSL play on Sunday.
