Goal scored by Kerri Coffman (84’)
Cary, North Carolina (June 17, 2023) – The Charlotte Independence suffered a 2-1 loss to NC Courage on Saturday afternoon at WakeMed Soccer Park. Kerri Coffman recorded the lone goal for the Independence and goalkeeper Madison Howard recorded eight saves to keep the team in the match.
The Independence looked to get on the board early with a corner kick in the 1st minute of play. Charlotte’s #12 Ayden Yates connected on the header and put it in for what appeared to be a Charlotte goal, but it was called off due to a foul on Charlotte in the box.
NC Courage had an opportunity to score in the 20th minute when #27 of the Courage dribbled to the right side of the box and sent a cross for Martinho who tried to one touch the pass into the goal but was knocked away by the Charlotte goalie, Madison Howard.
The first goal of the match came in the 29th minute by Emily Moxely. Moxely dribbled down the right side and took a right footed shot from just inside the 18 yard box, finding the back of the net and putting the Courage up 1-0.
The Courage looked to strike again in the 35th minute with a handball called inside the box on the Independence. The penalty kick was taken by Martinho who sent a low ball towards the left side of the goal. Howard made a diving stop to deny Martinho of the goal, keeping the score 1-0.
In stoppage time, the Courage looked to add to their lead, but Howard made a great kick save to keep her team within one going into halftime.
Halftime: NC Courage 1 – Charlotte Independence 0
The Courage looked to add to their lead in the 56th minute when Isabella Brown received a pass inside the box. She took one touch to the right and then took a shot that missed just right of the goal post.
In the 64th minute, Taylor Chism put one into the back of the net for the Courage off a low cross through the box from Goldthwaite, putting the hosts up 2-0.
Charlotte looked to lessen their deficit in the 70th minute when Manuela Baptista took a shot from well beyond the 18 yard box but was tapped out of play by the NC goalie.
With time winding down, Charlotte’s Kerri Coffman scored in the 84th minute off a corner taken by Maddie Milliron. Jenna Butler was the first person to receive the corner with a header over to Coffman who headed it into the goal to bring the Independence within 1.
A last minute chance from the Independence came in the 90th minute when Serena Speight took a right footed strike that ended up in the hands of the NC goalie.
Despite the loss, Charlotte goalie Madison Howard recorded 8 saves earning the team’s Clean Juice Woman of the Match.
Final: NC Courage 2 – Charlotte Independence 1.
NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE: The Independence women are on the road again this Tuesday, June 20 at Wake FC. The match kicks off at 7:00 p.m. at Ting Park. Fans can live stream the action on Eleven Sports.
