Crystal Dunn scored three goals and added an assist for North Carolina in April. (Andy Mead/YCJ Photo)
CHICAGO – Rockville Centre, N.Y. native Crystal Dunn was named to the National Women’s Soccer League team of the month Thursday.
The midfielder was one of four North Carolina Courage players were selected to the team.
Dunn scored three goals and added an assist to lead the Courage to a 3-0-1 record in April. She scored the game-winner in North Carolina’s 2-0 win over the Houston Dash on April 28.
Teammates Jaelene Hinkle, McCall Zerboni and Jessica McDonald also were named to the team.
Chicago Red Stars midfielder Sofia Huerta was voted NWSL player of the month and is one of four players honored for the first time as a member of the NWSL Team of the Month – with Washington Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe, Washington Spirit forward Francisca Ordega and McDonald all making their debuts on the squad.
Sky Blue FC did not have anyone on the team.
NWSL team of the month
GK – Aubrey Bledsoe, Washington Spirit: Bledsoe made 15 saves over three appearances – including a penalty kick save to preserve a 1-1 draw at the Portland Thorns FC on April 20.
D – Emily Sonnett, Portland Thorns FC: Sonnett started all three matches during the month and made 12 clearances, won three tackles and blocked one shot to help the Thorns FC finish April with 1.30 goals-against-average.
D – Jaelene Hinkle, North Carolina Courage: Hinkle played all 360 minutes for the Courage in April as she registered 9 chances created and 12 tackles won, and 244 touches over four appearances.
D – Estelle Johnson, Washington Spirit: Johnson made four tackles (three won) and blocked four shots while recording 40 or more touches in a match in two of her three appearances during the month.
D – Becky Sauerbrunn, Utah Royals FC: Sauerbrunn played every minute of all three games for Utah Royals FC during April as she recorded five tackles won and contributed to one shutout as the club posted a 0-1-2 record.
M – Crystal Dunn, North Carolina Courage: Dunn scored three goals and added an assist to lead the Courage to a 3-0-1 record in April. She scored the game-winner in North Carolina’s 2-0 win over the Houston Dash on April 28.
M – Sofia Huerta, Chicago Red Stars: Huerta scored two goals in four appearances (four starts) with 13 shots while adding in seven tackles (5 won) for the Red Stars in April.
M – McCall Zerboni, North Carolina Courage: Zerboni had two goals while playing 360 minutes during the month for the Courage, including winning Player of the Week twice.
F – Jessica McDonald, North Carolina Courage: McDonald tallied one goal and two assists in four appearances. The first came against the Spirit on April 14 and the second was a game-winning assist vs. Dash on April 28.
F – Francisca Ordega, Washington Spirit: Ordega scored three goals during the month to push her to second place on the Goals leaderboard on the season. Even more impressive on the other end, she won 11 of 12 tackles.
F – Mallory Pugh, Washington Spirit: Pugh contributed on both offense and defense as she registered one goal and an assist along with a 76.83 percent passing accuracy and five tackles in three games during the month.
