NC Courage Land Pair on NWSL August Best XI, Diana Ordonez Named Rookie of the Month
September 7, 2022 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – North Carolina Courage News Release
CARY, NC – The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) today announced North Carolina Courage forward Diana Ordóñez as August’s Rookie of the Month, presented by Ally, as voted by the NWSL Media Association. She and veteran Carson Pickett were named to the NWSL Best XI for the month, presented by MasterCard, as announced by the league Wednesday.
Ordóñez tallied five goals, including a pair of braces, throughout the month of August to earn her first-career monthly honor. The Prosper, Texas native’s brace count for the season (3) is tied with Sophia Smith of Portland Thorns FC for most among NWSL players and Ordóñez has already set both the NWSL rookie goal-scoring record matched the league record for consecutive games with at least one goal (6), the longest streak in Courage history.
The rookie’s first two-goal outing came on August 5 when she kickstarted a Courage comeback from a pair of goals down against Portland Thorns FC before adding a second tally to help the team to a 3-3 draw. She scored again against Kansas City on August 13 then pushed her scoring streak to six, dating back to June 16, with her third-career brace in North Carolina’s 4-0 rout of the Chicago Red Stars on August 20.
Through August 31, Ordóñez leads all NWSL rookies in scoring with 11 goals and currently sits second in the Golden Boot race behind San Diego Wave FC forward Alex Morgan.
Pickett’s stellar month of August included a trio of assists to earn her third straight Best XI award. In games where the Florida native has gotten on the scoresheet this month, the Courage have gone 2-0-1. The defender’s five assists this season are tied for the NWSL lead.
The North Carolina Courage return to action on Saturday, September 10 when the team hosts Racing Louisville FC at WakeMed Soccer Park for Star Wars night. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET with tickets on sale now at www.nccourage.com and the match will stream exclusively on Twitch.
The NWSL Rookie of the Month presented by Ally is selected each month of the regular season by the NWSL Media Association, a collection of writers that cover the league on a consistent basis.
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