By OkayGoal
In the lone Wednesday night National Women’s Soccer League game this week, the North Carolina Courage defeated Angel City 2-0. Courage midfielder Ashley Sanchez scored twice to extend her league-leading season goals total to 15. The brace also makes her the new North Carolina single-season scoring record holder, beating Lynn Biyendolo’s previous record of 14.
Sanchez opened the scoring shortly before halftime, darting inside as the ball was sent in behind the defense with an outside of the boot flick from Evelyn Ijeh.
CANNOT BE STOPPED!
Golden Boot leader Ashley Sanchez ties the Courage record with her 14th goal of the season! pic.twitter.com/GQ9nvTw8ZN— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) August 27, 2026
Unfortunately, Courage defender Maycee Bell went down in the 55th minute. She fell hard on her left side after incidental contact with Prisca Chilufya and appeared to grab her shoulder. Bell’s teammates formed a circle around her to shield her from view while she was looked at and then loaded onto a stretcher. She was stretchered off the field, directly down the tunnel. Bell had started and played the full 90 minutes in the previous 15 games she appeared in this season, only missing five games to injury between April 30 and July 3.
Sanchez scored an insurance goal in the 78th minute, assisted by goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan. The goalkeeper launched a ball over Angel City’s high back line, getting Sanchez one-on-one with her counterpart, Los Angeles goalkeeper Angelina Anderson.
SANCHEZ BRACE!
With her 15th goal of the season, Ashley Sanchez BREAKS the single-season goal record for the Courage! pic.twitter.com/prnnCdAmrS— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) August 27, 2026
In the Golden Boot race, Sanchez now has a three-goal lead over the next closest player (Barbra Banda) and a five-goal lead over the next three (Sophia Wilson, Trinity Rodman, Ijeh). In addition to extending her lead in the Golden Boot race, Sanchez also tied for the league record for most braces in a single season with four.