San Diego Wave FC will visit First Horizon Stadium to face North Carolina Courage on October 17 in a critical National Women’s Soccer League matchup. The teams previously met on September 12, with San Diego securing a 2-1 victory at Snapdragon Stadium.
San Diego holds a 16-8-3 record and 51 points in the 2026 season, having clinched a playoff spot after defeating Orlando Pride 2-1 on October 2. Rookie forward Lia Godfrey has been a key contributor for San Diego, tallying six goals and five assists this season and opening scoring in three matches.
In the September meeting, Gia Corley scored the opening goal for San Diego, followed by Melanie Barcenas’s goal in the 72nd minute. North Carolina’s Ashley Sanchez scored in the 82nd minute, but the Wave maintained the lead and won the match.
North Carolina arrives at the match with a 13-11-3 record and 42 points, coming off a 1-0 victory over Seattle Reign on October 2. Gianna Paul scored the game’s only goal, extending North Carolina’s streak to 13 consecutive matches with a goal, their longest since 2022.
Ashley Sanchez leads the league with 20 goals in 27 matches, tying the NWSL single-season scoring record set in 2024. Sanchez also holds the record for most go-ahead or tying goals in a season with 12.
CSB Take
This matchup offers a compelling clash between San Diego Wave FC’s emerging rookie talent, highlighted by Lia Godfrey’s impressive first professional season, and North Carolina Courage’s powerhouse scorer Ashley Sanchez. With playoff positioning on the line, the game will be a significant test for both squads. The outcome could impact seeding in a competitive NWSL postseason landscape.
Source: Original report
