North Carolina Courage 5-0 Orlando Pride
Evelyn Ijeh delivered a ruthless hat trick as North Carolina Courage swept aside Orlando Pride 5-0 in Friday’s NWSL fixture at WakeMed Soccer Park.
The Courage made an electric start in Cary, with Lauryn Thompson opening the scoring in the 4th minute. North Carolina kept the pressure on and found the breakthrough their dominant opening deserved again through Ijeh, who struck in the 26th minute before adding her second in the 35th minute.
That first-half control was reflected on the scoreboard, with the Courage taking a commanding 3-0 advantage into the interval. Orlando had their share of the ball and won 10 corners, but could not turn that territorial pressure into a meaningful opening against a disciplined home side.
Ijeh completed her treble in the 70th minute to put the result beyond any doubt, capping a clinical evening from the Courage forward. Ashley Sanchez then added further gloss in stoppage time, scoring in the 90+3rd minute to seal the 5-0 final score.
North Carolina’s edge in front of goal told the story. The Courage produced 17 shots and put nine on target, while Orlando managed 12 efforts but only two on frame despite possession being almost even at 50.1% to 49.9%.
The win moves North Carolina’s league record to 7-3-6, while Orlando leave Cary with a 7-2-9 mark after a difficult night in front of 7,232 supporters.
Goal scorers
- North Carolina Courage: Lauryn Thompson, 4′
- North Carolina Courage: Evelyn Ijeh, 26′, 35′, 70′
- North Carolina Courage: Ashley Sanchez, 90+3′
