NJ/NY Gotham FC secures first playoff win in club history

Professional, Featured, NJ/NY Gotham FC, Soccer

October 24, 2023

No. 6 NJ/NY Gotham FC defeated the No. 3 North Carolina Courage 2-0 on Sunday, Oct. 22, in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) playoffs quarterfinals at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina. Gotham continues to strive for a spot in the championship, which will be the first appearance in club history.

What Happened

Gotham's first goal came in the 45th minute. Midfielder Yazmeen Ryan found defender Bruninha at the top of the box to start the attack. Bruninha managed to escape pressure before sending the ball wide to forward Delanie Sheehan. Sheehan took a touch before she sent the ball toward the net. It seemed to go in slow motion as the ball trickled through the defense and into the goal past a diving Casey Murphy in net. This was Sheehan's first goal of her professional career.

Pitchside view of Delanie Sheehan giving Gotham the lead 📽️ pic.twitter.com/68UmrlBBEx

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 23, 2023

Their second goal came in the 90+1 minute. A long ball was sent to forward Lynn Williams, who won the ball after being one-v-one with a Courage defender. Williams split the defenders to find Ryan making a run in the box. Ryan then lines up her shot as she takes a one-time right-footed shot to the bottom left corner out of reach of Murphy. This goal secured the win as the Courage only had three minutes to tie up the game.

Goalkeeper Mandy Haught made a huge save to keep the Courage off the board and Gotham in the lead. Forward Tyler Lussi received the ball alone on the right flank before she dribbled into the box to create a one-on-one with Haught. Lussi hit the ball on the volley, and Haught stretched out perfectly to get her bottom hand on it and deflect it for a corner.

THE CLINCHER FOR GOTHAM!! pic.twitter.com/2YOhXY67KH

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 23, 2023

Gotham outshot the Courage 13-6 with six shots on target compared to North Carolina's four.

Both Haught and Murphy ended with four saves.

FIRST NWSL PLAYOFF WIN FOR GOTHAM 😱 pic.twitter.com/dKuqLD4bhV

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 23, 2023

What's Next for NJ/NY Gotham FC?

Gotham returns to the pitch on Sunday, Nov. 5, as they travel to Portland to take on the Portland Thorns in the NWSL Playoffs semifinals at Providence Park. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. and will be streamed on CBS Sports Network.