Emma Sears, Racing Louisville bunch up goals to down Courage

Emma Sears scored two goals and Racing Louisville FC topped the North Carolina Courage 3-1 in a matchup between two teams contending for perhaps the final spot in the postseason field Saturday night in Cary, N.C.

Sears and Kayla Fischer found the net within a 10-minute span early in the second half as Louisville (9-9-5, 32 points) was on the way to winning consecutive matches for only the second time this season. Fischer also had an assist on the match's first goal, in the 49th minute, then scored in the 59th. Sears added her second goal in the 79th minute.

Manaka Matsukubo's goal for the Courage (7-9-7, 28 points) also came early in the second half at 55 minutes -- in between the first two Louisville goals. But the Courage had an eight-match home points streak end.

Goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer made three saves for Louisville. Marissa Jordan had two saves for North Carolina.

Katie O'Kane and Bethany Balcer also provided assists for Louisville.

Sears, who had one goal in the previous five matches, has reached the 10-goal mark for the season, doubling her total from her rookie year in 2024. Fischer's goal was her third of the season but first since May 2.

Matsukubo's goal came as she got free in the box and, after receiving a pass from Riley Jackson, had only Bloomer to beat for her seventh goal this season.

The teams began the season with a 1-1 draw on March 15 at Louisville.

--Field Level Media