Hinkle, Courage Set For NWSL Playoffs

LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech soccer's Jaelene Hinkle returns to the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) postseason with the North Carolina Courage, playing in the semifinal on Sunday afternoon at Sahlen's Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park.

Hinkle and the Courage (16-7-1) are the top seed in the four-team playoff and take on the Chicago Red Stars (11-7-6) on Sunday, Oct. 8, at 2:30 p.m. on Lifetime.

Hinkle has started in 20 matches this season as a defender for the Courage. She's recorded two assists, while tallying seven shots, including one on goal. Hinkle has also helped North Carolina put up 12 clean sheets in 16 victories in 2017.

She is in her third season in the NWSL, after being drafted at No. 7 overall in the 2015 NWSL College Draft by the Western New York Flash. At the end of last season, the Flash were sold to the owners of the North Carolina FC and moved to Cary, North Carolina, and rebranded as the North Carolina Courage.

The Courage won the 2017 NWSL Shield after posting the best record in the regular season, but face an interesting predicament heading into the playoffs. The Courage have faced the Red Stars three times this season and have fallen in all three meetings by scores of 3-1 (May 21), 3-2 (May 27) and 2-1 (Sept. 3).

A win Sunday would put the Courage in its second-straight NWSL Championship game, as the then-Flash battled the Washington Spirit and won the title on a penalty shootout in 2016. The Flash were the first No. 4 seed to win the NWSL Championship.

Now, the Courage enter the 2017 playoffs as the top overall seed looking to repeat as champions. If North Carolina is able to do so, it would be the first team to win the championship after winning the NWSL Shield during the regular season.

First touch is set for 2:30 p.m. on Lifetime. The winner will head to Orlando for the NWSL Championship on Saturday, Oct. 14, at 3:30 p.m.

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