North Carolina Courage U23

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North Carolina Courage U23
FoundedJanuary 27, 2022; 2 years ago (2022-01-27)
StadiumWakeMed Soccer Park
Cary, North Carolina, United States
Head coachWillie Davis
LeagueUSL W League
2024
  • 1st of 6 (South Atlantic div.)
  • Champions (Southern Conf.)
  • Finalists (National playoffs)
Current season

North Carolina Courage U23, also known as North Carolina Courage USL W, is an amateur women's soccer team that plays in the USL W League. It is affiliated and shares ownership with the professional team North Carolina Courage, which competes in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).

History[edit]

In January 2022, NWSL club North Carolina Courage added an amateur team to compete in the newly formed W League,[1] becoming the second NWSL club to do so after Racing Louisville FC earlier that month.[2]

In the 2023 USL W League season, the Courage U23s went undefeated with an 11–0–1 record to win the South Atlantic division, then defeated FC Miami City and Tampa Bay United in consecutive 3–0 victories to win the Southern Conference championship and advance to the national championship semifinals.[3] After defeating Eagle FC 4–1, the Courage U23s advanced to the national finals for the first time in club history, facing Indy Eleven, where they lost 2–1 in overtime.[4][5] Former USWNT player Heather O'Reilly joined the team as a player and coach that season.[6][7]

Stadium[edit]

North Carolina Courage plays its W League matches at Field Two at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina.[8]

Players[edit]

See also: Category:North Carolina Courage U23 players
As of May 17, 2024
Roster
Pos. Name Team
GK MK Daly Dartmouth
GK Emily Edwards Purdue
DF Aven Alvarez North Carolina
DF Bella Ayscue Penn State
DF Amber Brooks (Washington Spirit)
DF Taylor Chism NC State
DF Kayleigh Herr Penn State
DF Brooklyn Holt NC State
MF Gabby Ciocca Virginia Tech
MF Braelynn Francher UNC Charlotte
MF Baylor Goldthwaite Wake Forest
MF Phoebe Goldthwaite Duke
MF Lauren Martinho Duke
MF Cazzi Norgren Missouri State
MF Bella Sember North Carolina
FW Macey Bader UNC Charlotte
FW Ivy Gardner Liberty
FW Mackenzie Geigle Louisville
FW Hannah Jibril NC State
FW Mia Oliaro Duke
FW Lexi Strickland NC State
FW Alyssa Tucker Campbell

Staff[edit]

Coaching history[edit]

  • 2022–: United States Willie Davis

Year-by-year[edit]

As of July 14, 2023
Season League Division Regular season Playoffs Top goalscorer Ref.
P W D L GF GA GD Pts. Pos.
2022
 USL W South Atlantic 12 6 2 4 24 14 +10 22 2nd Did not qualify Emily Sapienza (5) [9]
2023
 South Atlantic 12 11 1 0 46 7 +39 34 1st Finals [10]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "USL Welcomes NC Courage U23s to W League" (Press release). North Carolina Courage. January 27, 2022. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  2. ^ Hruby, Emma (January 18, 2022). "Racing Louisville first NWSL team to expand into USL W League". Just Women's Sports. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  3. ^ "CHAMPS! Courage U23 win USL-W conference title" (Press release). North Carolina Courage. July 8, 2023. Retrieved July 15, 2023.
  4. ^ "USL W League: Indy Eleven and NC Courage U23 move into final". Soccer America. July 14, 2023. Retrieved July 15, 2023.
  5. ^ "Indy Eleven W League rallies around injured teammate, wins championship on wonder-goal". The Indianapolis Star. July 22, 2023.
  6. ^ Hruby, Emma (May 19, 2023). "USWNT Great Heather O'Reilly Stays Unretired With USL W League". Just Women's Sports. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  7. ^ Schnittker, Nicholas (July 8, 2023). "Former Huskies winning, growing with Courage U23s". The Wake Weekly. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  8. ^ "2024 NC Courage U-23 Schedule". North Carolina Courage. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  9. ^ "Standings". USL W League. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  10. ^ "Standings". USL W League. Retrieved July 15, 2023.
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