Legacy suffer historic, bitter defeat at North Carolina

Back on April 29, Boston Legacy FC earned its first point in NWSL play with a 2-2 draw against the North Carolina Courage.

In Saturday night’s rematch down at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C., the Legacy were poised to do so again — thanks to a gritty equalizer from Aissata Traoré two minutes into stoppage time.

But it was not to be for Filipa Patão’s struggling side, who suffered their third straight defeat with a 2-1 setback on Ashley Sanchez’s second goal of the night, this one from the penalty spot in the 17th minute of added time — the latest goal in a match in NWSL history.

The Legacy (5-11-5, 20 points) once again battled right with the Courage (10-7-3, 33 points), topping the possession charts (51 percent) despite being outshot, 16-7 (8-3 on goal). Keeper Casey Murphy kept Boston in the game with a strong six-save outing.

But the Legacy were on the back foot quickly, with Sanchez giving the hosts a 1-0 lead in just the 10th minute. Coming in from the left wing, she created a shooting lane with a little shimmy and curled a perfectly placed shot into the far side netting behind Murphy.

But the visitors kept battling, while Murphy kept the match a one-goal affair. Things finally broke for the Legacy in the 92nd minute, when Josephine Hasbo’s initial shot could only be parried by Courage keeper Kailen Sheridan (2 saves). There to pounce on the rebound was Mali international Traoré to bang home her sixth goal of the season.

But the Courage kept coming, and defender Maycee Bell earned a penalty when she was tripped in the area by Legacy counterpart Bianca St. Georges.

Sanchez took the ball and slotted a perfect penalty into the top right corner past a diving Murphy to set off a raucous celebration by the 8,050 in attendance.

The Legacy return to action next Monday, Aug. 31, hosting Angel City at Gillette Stadium (8 p.m.).