San Diego Wave FC (2-0-0, 6 points) won its second straight game of the 2023 season on Saturday night, defeating North Carolina Courage (1-1-0, 3 points) 3-1 at Snapdragon Stadium.
After an evenly contested start to the first half, the Wave took the lead in the 39th minute when forward Jaedyn Shaw found the back of the net. Goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan served a long ball that midfielder Taylor Kornieck flicked on. The 18-year-old forward ran behind the backline to the ongoing ball and slotted it to the top left corner to notch her second goal of the season.
San Diego doubled its lead just three minutes into the second half off a goal from forward Alex Morgan. Midfielder Danielle Colaprico intercepted a pass from North Carolina before finding Morgan’s feet. The captain took one touch to settle the ball and calmly struck the ball to double the lead for the Wave.
After a video review for a handball in the box by the Courage, the call was confirmed, and the Wave were awarded a penalty kick. Morgan stepped up to the spot and converted the penalty kick to earn the brace and score her third goal of the season.
North Carolina earned their lone goal of the match off a penalty kick in the 77th minute by Brazilian forward Kerolin Nicoli, but it was the Wave that secured all three points.
WE’RE BACK AT SNAP ON APRIL 19
Next on the schedule: Following a weekend break due to the FIFA window, Wave FC will return to league play on the road on Saturday, April 15, at Lumen Field against OL Reign. Beginning at 7:00 p.m. PT, the match will be available on Paramount+.
