Red Stars battle to draw with North Carolina

The Chicago Red Stars battled to a 1-1 draw against the North Carolina Courage, taking a point on the road. Sam Kerr tallied her first goal of the season, as Alyssa Naeher earned a single-game high 12 saves for Chicago.

With North Carolina pressuring Chicago, the Courage were able to take nine shots in the first 20 minutes. However, the Red Stars were able to stop all chances as goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher made a tremendous diving save, while Michele Vasconselos made two back-to-back goal line saves.

After the first-half hydration break, Chicago turned the tables and put the pressure on the North Carolina backline. The attack paid off as Alyssa Mautz found Sam Kerr inside the box, and with a quick touch and no-look shot, Kerr was able to notch her first Red Stars goal, continuing her all-time NWSL record with 44 goals.

Despite the Courage's nine of 23 shots on target to the Red Stars one of six, Chicago was able to find the go-ahead goal just before halftime, as North Carolina trailed at the start of the second half for the first time this season.

Just out of halftime, North Carolina found another shot on goal after Crystal Dunn released a close-range shot, only to be saved by the heroic efforts of Naeher charging off her line for the stop. Just minutes later, Naeher was called upon again, with two back-to-back diving saves from both Sam Mewis and another from Dunn.

With less than 10 minutes remaining, North Carolina would finally capitalize off a corner kick opportunity. Erceg received the kick and with one touch, found McCall Zerboni who volleyed the ball just past Naeher.

In the final minutes, Kerr nearly got a brace after a lofted ball inside the box was chested down. With one bounce, Kerr struck the ball toward the net, but goalkeeper Sabrina DiAngelo was able to deflect Chicago's last shot of the match.