by Brian Turrel
The Kansas City Current extended its unbeaten streak to 12 games, coming back from a 2-1 deficit to defeat the North Carolina Courage 3-2 Sunday evening at Children’s Mercy Park.
Kristen Hamilton scored the game-winner in the 59th minute, punching in a beautifully placed cross from Kate Del Fava.
Hamilton’s score came just three minutes after CeCe Kizer tied the match at two, heading in Alex Loera’s corner kick delivery from just outside the 6-yard box.
The Courage had taken a 2-1 lead just after halftime, counter-attacking a corner kick. Kaleigh Kurtz’s long pass forward sent the Kansas City defense scrambling backwards and set up Kerolin Nicoli, who placed her shot just outside A.D. Franch’s attempted kick save and inside the far post.
Nicoli’s first goal tied the game at one in the 28th minute, again on a counter-attack. Merritt Matthias found the speedy forward at the edge of the 18-yard box with a long-range pass. Franch came out to cut down the angle, but Nicoli exploited a sliver of space for the score.
The Courage conceded a penalty kick and early lead in the 5th minute on a hand ball in the box. Lo’eau LaBonta tucked the kick low and just inside the left post for her fifth penalty kick goal (and sixth overall) of the season.
Kansas City had opportunities to extend the score, but heroics by Courage goalkeeper Casey Murphy kept the visitors within range. Murphy tipped a 36th minute Claire Lavogez blast just over the cross bar, and dived at full length to her right to deny a Hamilton breakaway goal in the 62nd minute.
Kansas City’s unbeaten streak is now the second-longest in NWSL history, and the run of success has pushed the team to second place in the NWSL standings, only two points behind the San Diego Wave but with a game in hand.
The Current plays two games on the road at New Jersey-New York (Sept. 11) and at Chicago (Sept. 14). The team’s next home match will be on Sept. 18 against the Portland Thorns, kicking off at 4 p.m.
