Match Recap: Gotham FC Earns First Home Win of Season with Historic 300th Goal in Club History

Gotham FC defeated the North Carolina Courage 1-0 on a Saturday night at Red Bull Arena

HARRISON, NJ – NJ/NY Gotham FC earned the club’s first home win of the season and continued its four-game home unbeaten streak with a 1-0 victory over the North Carolina Courage on Saturday night at Red Bull Arena. 
 
Gotham FC started strong in front of the home fans, creating a chance off the opening kickoff. Forward Lynn Williams – wearing the captain’s armband – led by example from the very beginning. In the first minute of the match, she brought the ball down the left-side pitch, cut in, and nearly scored an early goal, with her shot drifting slightly off-frame. Then, the forward found another early chance in the seventh minute, with a curling shot that sailed just wide of the far post. 
 
In the 11th minute, the third time was the charm for Williams, as Gotham FC converted to score on its third chance on goal. Williams had an open look off a missed clearance from the Courage back line and finished in the top right corner to give Gotham FC the 1-0 lead with her first goal of the season. Williams’ goal was the game-winner and also marked the 300th goal in all competitions in Gotham FC history.
 
The North Carolina Courage fought back, with a near-chance in the 27th minute. Courage midfielder Narumi Mirura launched a long-range shot from the top box and nearly found the back of the net. However, Gotham FC goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger made a diving save to maintain her first league shutout. 
 
The first half ended 1-0 in favor of the home side, with Gotham FC also holding the edge in total shots (10-5) and attacking opportunities (36-31). 
 
In second-half action, midfielder Rose Lavelle checked into the game in the 60th minute. Coming off her stoppage-time game-tying goal in her last appearance, she again immediately made her impact felt with a near chance just moments after subbing onto the pitch. 
 
The second half went end to end, with both sides enhancing their defenses to slow total shot attempts from 15 shots in the first half to only seven combined across both teams in the final 45 minutes to end that match with a 1-0 score line.
 
Gotham FC next travels for two games on the road. On Wednesday, May 8, the team travels to Texas to take on the Houston Dash at 8 p.m. ET. Then, Gotham FC will travel to face San Diego Wave FC on Sunday, May 12 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
 

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POSTGAME ASSETS 
 
QUOTES
Gotham FC forward Lynn Williams
Lynn Williams
On her first goal of the season and scoring Gotham FC’s 300th goal…
Yeah, I said this after the game on TV. But it’s obviously no secret that we haven’t had the start to the season that we’ve wanted. Although, I think that last game and a couple of games before, we’ve been on the front foot, and we just haven’t had that final piece. So I’m really proud of the group for coming out. I think we came out really fast and knew the goal was just [to have a] high press, keep going, [and know] we’re gonna get that goal. I’m just really proud of the group on that, and I think this is another stepping stone. I think that we have a hard week coming up. We have three games in the week. I’m excited to see the depth of our bench and just the rotations that are gonna happen, cause we have to rotate. But I’m just proud of us for getting that goal. I’m proud of myself on a personal note. I feel like I’ve been wanting this goal so bad. So, I’m happy it went in.
 
On Ann-Katrin Berger challenging her in practice…
She is hard to score on, and in practice, I think that [she has great] soccer knowledge. She’s a veteran of the game, and she’s played in many different leagues. She hasn’t played in this one yet so [she] kept getting up to speed in this league. Also, she has a brilliant soccer mind. I think when you can start your attack with your keeper, it’s really exciting to see. Also, knowing that you can not only trust her going forward, but trust that she’s not going to let anything in. I’m just continuing to be excited to play with her. I know that sounds weird like, why would a forward be so excited to play for a keeper, because we’re so far away from each other. But, the amount of times that we talk to each other in a game and signal to each other is a lot. So, yes, I still think that is true.
 
Gotham FC defender Sam Hiatt
On the win at home…
Honestly, it feels so great. Especially too as a defender, I think getting a clean sheet is something that I take a lot of pride in. And [for] us as a team in a back line, I know that’s something that we all really wanted. So to get that out is fantastic. And then obviously three points is a great feeling and to win at home in front of the fans too. All in all, I think we checked a lot of boxes actually. 
 
On her adjusting to Gotham FC’s style of play…
Yeah, I think it’s definitely been different. But I knew that obviously going to a new team, it’s always going to be different, but I really enjoyed it because I think I’ve grown a lot as a player through that experience. The team has been great. The staff has been amazing. It’s been like such a seamless transition. And obviously playing with Sonnett is great as well. She’s such a good partner. Well, it’s great to play with Sonnett anywhere on the field. But as a centerback pair. She’s such a great communicator and problem solver. So, I just really enjoyed being able to work through problems, and just constantly hear her voice, too, which is nice. As a backline, we always have to be talking.
 
Head Coach Juan Carlos Amorós
On today’s win against the Courage…
I feel very proud. For the players and the staff to perform to get the outcome today, finally. I think the last two home games in the league we drew feeling that we probably deserved a little bit more and today we didn’t want to let that happen again.
 
On Lynn Williams’ impact on the game…
It was the first time she played a full 90 minutes, probably even pushing herself, taking responsibility. Today she behaved like a captain. [She was] leading not only coming forward but also helping back. Lynn really did her job on both ends of the pitch to help the team.
 
Key Match Notes

• Gotham FC has scored in its last four home games and won at home for the first time this year. The club is now undefeated in its last 13 games when leading at the half. 
• Goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger posted her first NWSL shutout.
• Defender Sam Hiatt made her 50th regular season appearance.
• Midfielder Nealy Martin made her 50th regular season appearance.
• Forward Ella Stevens made her 50th regular season appearance and first regular season start with the club.
• Forward Lynn Williams scored her first goal of the season. It was her second in her career against her former club. She now has 65 goals in the regular season, second in the league all-time. Williams’ goal was also her 20th career regular season game-winning goal, extending her league record.