Ashley Sanchez delivered a devastating hat trick as North Carolina Courage swept aside Chicago Stars FC 6-0 in Sunday’s National Women’s Soccer League fixture at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium in Evanston.
The Courage were in command from the opening stages, pairing sharp attacking movement with overwhelming control of the ball to leave Chicago chasing the match. North Carolina finished with 60.1 percent possession, 24 shots and nine efforts on target, while the Stars managed six shots and two on target.
Courage seize early control
Sanchez set the tone in the 11th minute, opening the scoring to give the visitors an early advantage. Chicago had little time to reset before Chioma Okafor doubled the lead in the 17th minute, rewarding another purposeful spell from North Carolina.
That 2-0 interval lead reflected the Courage’s authority in both territory and chance creation. Chicago competed under pressure but struggled to establish sustained possession or turn its attacking moments into clear openings. Jenna Bike was booked in first-half stoppage time as the home side attempted to stem the visitors’ momentum.
Four more after the interval
North Carolina returned from the break with no intention of protecting its lead. Shinomi Koyama made it 3-0 in the 61st minute, and Ryan Williams struck two minutes later in the 63rd minute to turn a convincing performance into a one-sided contest.
Sanchez then completed her second of the afternoon from the penalty spot in the 69th minute. The forward was not finished: she sealed her hat trick with a header in the 81st minute, completing an emphatic six-goal away performance.
The Courage created 19 shot assists and won five corners, compared with Chicago’s five shot assists and one corner, numbers that underlined the visitors’ sustained attacking grip. North Carolina also recorded four assists across their six goals.
What’s next
Chicago Stars FC will look to respond when they host Portland Thorns FC on Sunday, September 13. North Carolina Courage carry significant momentum into their next fixture against San Diego Wave FC on Saturday, September 12.
Goals: Ashley Sanchez 11′, 69′ (pen), 81′; Chioma Okafor 17′; Shinomi Koyama 61′; Ryan Williams 63′.
