In what was arguably their most complete team game of the season, NJ/NY Gotham FC would show it was deserving of a playoff spot with a dominant road victory in Cary, North Carolina on Sunday afternoon.
While blown chances by the North Carolina Courage would be the story-line for the first of the match, it would be Gotham FC's explosive offense and stout defense that would take center-stage in the second half.
The team from Jersey would first get on the board shortly after the start of the second half when Midge Purce would capitalize off a misplayed clearance to put Gotham up 1-0 in the 54th minute. Purce was not done yet for her scoring on the day as she would knot another goal in the 64th minute off a rebound from Ifeoma Onumonu. Veteran Forward and New Jersey native Carli Lloyd would close out the scoring as she would score a goal from distance off an assist from Estelle Johnson to make it 3-0.
The Gotham FC defense would also have one of their best outings with Goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan recording five saves and her backline consisting of Player of the Match Gina Lewandowski and Estelle Johnson having eight clearances to help Gotham to it's eighth clean sheet of the season.
"It's definitely exciting when you can first of all get a win as a backline and have no goals against. It's something we take a lot of pride in, it starts from the top down and we've really focused on our pressure going into these last games. When our pressure up top is great, you know that helps midfield out which helps the defense out, and it helps our goalkeeper out. It's a team effort and we take a lot of pride in our defensive effort each game," said centerback Gina Lewandowski.
Sunday's game would also see the return of Mandy Freeman returning from what many thought to be a season ending injury. "It's an absolute joy to see her back," said Head Coach Scott Parkinson.
Gotham FC continues it's playoff push on the road this Friday as it travels to Kansas City to take on KC WoSo on Friday, October 22 at 8pm on Twitch.
- Gotham FC draws in Louisville to force must-win home finale - October 29, 2021
- NJ/NY Gotham FC gets back into playoff picture with drubbing of NC Courage - October 18, 2021
- Portland Thorns escape against NJ/NY Gotham FC - August 29, 2021
