SAN DIEGO - Wave FC defeated the North Carolina Courage 2-1 Saturday at Snapdragon Stadium, earning three points in a matchup between two teams tied on points entering the night. Gia Corley opened the scoring in the 23rd minute before Melanie Barcenas doubled San Diego’s lead in the second half. Ashley Sanchez scored for North Carolina in the 82nd minute, but the Wave held on to remain unbeaten in their last four home matches.

San Diego came out pressing from the opening whistle, forcing North Carolina into mistakes and putting pressure on the Courage defense. The first half was physical and fast-paced, with both teams creating chances.

Barcenas appeared to give the Wave an early lead in the second minute when she finished a chance assisted by Perle Morroni, but the goal was ruled offside. Barcenas nearly scored again several minutes later, creating space at the top of the box before her shot narrowly missed.

The Wave finally broke through in the 23rd minute. Courtnall sent a cross into the box after a give-and-go with Lia Godfrey, while Trinity Byars narrowly missed getting on the end of the ball. The ball fell to Corley, who fired a shot into the top-right corner for her first goal of the season.

Corley and Kimmi Ascanio celebrated the goal with a dance as San Diego took a 1-0 lead.

Brooklyn Courtnall, who started in place of the suspended Mimi Van Zanten, continued to make an impact on both sides of the ball. She pushed forward to help create attacking opportunities while also getting back defensively to limit North Carolina’s attack, including several strong plays against Sanchez.

“It was an amazing first start and I was so excited to get it at home in front of the fans who really brought the energy today,” Courtnall said.

Head coach Jonas Eidevall also praised Courtnall’s performance after the match, highlighting her ability to contribute in different roles since joining the team.

“She had a great game on both sides of the ball,” Eidevall said. “It's not that easy to integrate into a new team, but I think what you've seen from her in various roles that she's had is that she's performed really, really well. She's quite quickly become an important asset for us.”

North Carolina continued to create chances despite San Diego’s pressure. In the 30th minute, keeper Sandra Paños made a crucial save after the Courage nearly found an open net following a rebound.

Eidevall credited Paños’ experience and leadership for helping the Wave stay composed throughout the match.

“She’s a very experienced goalkeeper, I think she adds a lot of leadership to the team,” Eidevall said. “I think we're talking about being calm and composed today and that's a strength of ours, and I really think that starts with her in a lot of situations.”

San Diego entered halftime with a 1-0 lead despite being outshot 9-4. The Wave held 56% possession and put two of their four shots on target, while North Carolina had three shots on target.

The Wave also did a strong job limiting North Carolina’s two leading scorers, Sanchez and Evelyn Ijeh, for much of the match. At the same time, North Carolina limited Byars usual through balls that have helped create many of her chances this season.

San Diego doubled its lead in the 72nd minute when Barcenas scored her sixth goal of the season. After cutting inside near the top of the box, Barcenas moved the ball onto her left foot and fired a shot into the net.

The goal was another example of a scoring move Barcenas has used throughout the season, often cutting inside and creating space for her left foot from the top of the box. After the match, she explained that developing the ability to use both feet has been part of her game since she was young.

“Growing up I always wanted to be dangerous and unpredictable and from a young age I've always taught myself to be able to use both feet and make it as hard for the defenders,” Barcenas said. “That's just something that's been ingrained in me ever since I was really young.”

North Carolina responded late. Sanchez scored in the 82nd minute, her 19th goal of the season, cutting San Diego’s lead to 2-1.

The Courage began controlling more of the possession after the goal as the Wave looked to protect their lead. San Diego made several substitutions to close out the match, with Adriana Leon and Laurina Fazer entering for Byars and Ascanio in the 81st minute and Nya Harrison replacing Barcenas in the 92nd.

Courtnall said the team’s defensive effort was necessary to contain a North Carolina attack led by Sanchez.

“They are obviously really dangerous on the attack, they have Ashley, leading goal scorer right now, so trying to keep her contained and there are other threats on the attack as well,” Courtnall said. “It was definitely a hard fought defensive effort but I think it took everyone tonight, so I was really proud of our defense tonight.”

Despite North Carolina’s late pressure, San Diego held on for the victory.

The Wave finished with 53% possession, nine shots (five on target), while North Carolina recorded 13 shots and six on target.

With the win, San Diego improved to 13-3-8 on the season and remained unbeaten in its last four games at Snapdragon Stadium, winning three and drawing one. North Carolina fell to 12-3-9.

The result gives the Wave another important three points against a team near the top of the NWSL standings, moving San Diego into third place as it continues its push toward the end of the regular season.

Top Photo: Belen Palomino Young / @belens_gameday