Lynn Williams scored her first goal of the season in the 11th minute and NJ/NY Gotham FC held on from there to blank the visiting North Carolina Courage 1-0 on Saturday night in Harrison, N.J.
Ann-Katrin Berger notched five saves in her second NWSL match for Gotham FC (2-2-2, 8 points), who won despite North Carolina controlling 55 percent of the possession on the night.
Casey Murphy was credited with one save for the Courage (4-4-0, 12 points).
Williams got on the scoresheet against the team she played for from 2017-21. As Gotham attacked, North Carolina defenders twice parried away passes in the box. On the latter breakup, the ball went straight to Williams, who roofed a shot to the top-right corner.
Gotham had entered the match with just three goals in five outings on the young season.
North Carolina defender Malia Berkely limped off with an injury during first-half stoppage time.
Ashley Sanchez led the Courage attack in their search for an equalizer. Berger got low to save Sanchez’s athletic shot attempt from the center of the box in the 55th minute. Gotham’s Yazmeen Ryan missed wide at the end of a transition play two minutes later.
In the 67th minute, Sanchez one-timed a shot on goal that careened off the right post and stayed in play for a few moments before Gotham cleared the danger.
U.S. women’s national team stars Rose Lavelle and Crystal Dunn came off the bench for Gotham during the second half. They had some close calls during the late stages but could not double the margin.
–Field Level Media
