Thorns and Courage Split Points 2-2 in North Carlolina

Reilyn Turner, Olivia Moultrie and Jayden Perry bag goal contributions in their second-straight match.  

PORTLAND, Ore. (Saturday, April 4, 2026) – The Portland Thorns drew 2-2 in a back-and-forth battle Saturday night against the North Carolina Courage, recording their first tie of the year before heading into the international break with a 3W-1L-1D record.

The Thorns were the first to get on the scoresheet, with defender Jayden Perry sending a deep cross into the box to find forward Reilyn Turner, who put the ball int the net off a diving header in the 12^th minute.

The hosts were able to get themselves back into the match in the 28^th minute after forward Manaka Matsukubo managed to dribble into the box and placed the ball into the bottom far right corner.

The Thorns regained the lead minutes later in the 33^rd minute when midfielder Olivia Moultrie created space for herself in the box to take a shot and while the first attempt was saved by Courage goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan, the ball fell right back at Moultrie’s feet for her to finish it to see Portland go up 2-1.

However, the lead was short lived as Courage midfielder Ashley Sanchez shot the ball over Portland’s defense into an open spot in the net to level it up once again in the 37^th minute.

The Courage had an opportunity to take the lead in the dying minutes of the first half, but a full stretch save from Thorns goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold ensured that the two sides remained equal at the end of the first 45 minutes.

After the break, both teams went back and forth as they looked to break the deadlock, but the shots would not fall in for either side and the match would come to an end with points split between Portland and North Carolina.

UP NEXT: The Portland Thorns will face Angel City FC at BMO Stadium on Sunday, April 26. Kickoff on ESPN 2 is scheduled for 3 pm PT.

TEAM NOTES

• The Thorns have not lost in their last four meetings against the Courage (1W, 3D) dating back to June 2024. Tonight’s contest was the third consecutive draw between both sides.
• Reilyn Turner (F) and Olivia Moultrie (M) have each scored in two straight games for Portland and are the joint-scoring leaders for Portland this season with three goals apiece.  
• Jayden Perry (D) has assisted Turner for a second straight game to record her second assist of the year. All three of Perry’s career assists have been on Turner goals.

GOAL BREAKDOWN

First Half

POR – Reilyn Turner (Jayden Perry) 12’
NC – Manaka Matsukubo (Carly Wickenheiser) 28’
POR – Olivia Moultrie 33’

NC – Ashley Sanchez (Ryan Williams) 37’

Second Half

N/A

LINEUPS
Portland Thorns (4-2-3-1): Mackenzie Arnold, M.A. Vignola (Marie Müller 46’), Jayden Perry, Sam Hiatt-C, Reyna Reyes, Cassandra Bogere (Deyna Castellanos 69’), Jessie Fleming, Olivia Moultrie, Pietra Tordin (Maddie Padelski 69’), Reilyn Turner (Mimi Alidou 25’), Sophia Wilson
Subs not used: Morgan Messner (GK), Isabella Obaze, Shae Harvey, Valerin Loboa

North Carolina Courage (4-3-2-1): Kailen Sheridan-C (GK), Dani Weatherholt (Ally Schlegel 80’), Maycee Bell, Uno Shiragaki, Ryan Williams, Riley Jackson, Carly Wickenheiser (Payton Linnehan 69’), Ashley Sanchez, Shinomi Koyama (Natalia Staude 80’), Manaka Matsukubo, Hannah Betfort (Evelyn Ijeh 80’)
Subs not used: Madi White (GK), Sydney Schmidt, Cameron Brooks, Lauryn Thompson, Cortnee Vine

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

POR: Deyna Castellanos (Yellow) 84’

NC: Evelyn Ijeh (Yellow) 80’

MATCH STATS

POR | NC

Goals: 2|2

Assists: 1|2

Possession: 40|60

Shots: 16|12

Shots on Target: 6|7

Saves: 5|4

Tackles: 17|12

Tackles Won: 10|11

Interceptions: 7|8

Fouls: 8|9

Offsides: 1|0

Corner Kicks: 4|7

ATTENDANCE: 7,018

‍
REFEREE: Alyssa Pennington
ASSISTANT REFEREE 1: Jacob Little

ASSISTANT REFEREE 2: Sarah Gaddes

4^TH OFFICIAL: Alejo Calume
VAR: Kevin Broadley
ASSISTANT VAR: Christian Clerc