The two-time NWSL Shield winners the North Carolina Courage again claimed the top spot by clinching their third-straight NWSL Shield with a 3-0 win over Utah Royals FC. It took the visiting Courage 30 minutes to get on the board, courtesy of Sam Mewis converting a penalty. Mewis’ penalty would be all heading into the half, but the hosts did not back down.
Courage keeper Stephanie Labbé was forced to make an impressive save in the 52nd minute off a Becky Sauerbrunn header off a corner. However, Jaelene Hinkle then scored from what seemed to be an attempted cross for her first of the season to make it 2-0.