Clemson’s Carolina Conti scores hat-trick in statement win over NC Courage U23
Greenville, SC (May 20, 2022) – Highlight-reel goals and stellar offensive play helped the Greenville Liberty begin their inaugural home campaign with a convincing 6-1 victory over the North Carolina Courage U-23 team in front of an eager home crowd at Triumph Stadium on Saturday night. The Liberty moved to 2-0 on the young season with the victory, adding to their win streak after the club’s 4-2 win at the Charlotte Independence last Sunday.
Greenville Liberty came out of the gate with the same confidence from their win in Charlotte, with Clemson player & JL Mann Alum, Caroline Conti finding the back of the net in the first ten minutes to open the scoring. Greenville pressed on with the lead, forcing the NC Courage U23s on their heels. Wake Forest commit, Dubem Dike followed Conti’s lead, doubling the score for the Liberty in the 28th minute. After pounding the NC side’s defense, North Carolina high schooler, Christian Brathwaite, dealt another blow to the Courage with a stunning shot from distance that rocketed into the top corner of the goal. Just minutes later, Brathwaite and Conti linked up to add another tally to the scoreboard, sending Greenville into the half up 4-0.
Back on the pitch for the second half, the NC Courage responded with a goal of their own in the opening minutes. Refusing to let the Courage back in to the contest, Conti returned for more, scoring her third to earn hat-trick in the 50th minute. Carly Thatcher put an exclamation point on the night, sending Greenville up 6-1 late in the second half. Greenville proceeded to dominate the remaining minutes of the match, threatening once again before the whistle blew to end a memorable night for the young Liberty team.
“We knew the Courage were going to be a quality opponent, so we had to raise our level to match,” said Liberty head coach Julie Carlson. “The energy, the fans, everything we generated here lifts the team. They’re here to watch women perform and they embraced us tonight. Our players adapted well and we executed a great game plan.
The Liberty will look to add a third victory when they travel to the North Carolina Fusion on Wednesday, May 25th. The club returns home on June 3rd to face regional rival Asheville City SC at 7:00 PM.