Shinomi Koyama recorded her first NWSL goal in the 89th minute to lift the North Carolina Courage over the host Orlando Pride 1-0 on Friday night.
The Courage (7-7-7, 28 points) drew within one point of the Pride (8-8-5, 29 points) in the playoff race. They passed Racing Louisville to take over the eighth and final playoff spot, as Louisville lost its match later Friday.
Marisa Jordan earned the clean sheet, making her only save of the night two minutes into second-half stoppage time by collecting an innocuous ball in the box.
Just before that, the Courage managed to get the ball out to Aline Gomes on the break. Orlando keeper Anna Moorhouse (three saves) kicked away Gomes’ shot, but it rolled over to Koyama, who one-timed the rebound into the net.
Dash 1, Stars 0
Yazmeen Ryan scored off a slick defensive play in the first half, and Houston held on from there to blank visiting Chicago.
In the 28th minute, Ryan intercepted Sam Staab’s pass from close range in Chicago’s end. She took three quick dribbles and fired a shot past Alyssa Naeher.
Houston (7-9-5, 26 points) earned a shutout despite losing starting goalkeeper Jane Campbell to an injury early. Abby Smith replaced her in the 13th minute and was credited with six saves. Naeher had five stops for the Stars (2-10-9, 15 points), including saving a penalty attempt by Ryan in the 89th minute following a handball in the box.
Royals 3, Racing 2
Mina Tanaka, Janni Thomsen and Cloe Lacasse tallied for Utah, which held on for a tight win over Louisville in Sandy, Utah.
The Royals (4-11-6, 18 points) scored all their goals before halftime, highlighted by Thomsen’s first league goal on a bullet from outside the box. Emma Sears got the visitors on the board in the 68th minute, and Janine Sonis made it a game in the 81st when her free kick curled over the wall and in off the far post.
That was all that Racing (7-9-5, 26 points) could muster as they lost for the third straight match and fell out of the eight-team playoff picture. Mandy McGlynn made three saves for Utah, and Jordyn Bloomer was credited with one for Louisville.
–Field Level Media
