KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Temwa Chawinga once again showcased her scoring prowess, netting the only goal in the Kansas City Current’s 1-0 victory over the North Carolina Courage during the opening round of the National Women’s Soccer League playoffs on Saturday.

The Current are set to battle the Orlando Pride in a semifinal match next weekend, with the Pride having clinched the top seed in the playoffs after a strong season, finishing with a record-breaking points total. They secured their place in the semifinal by defeating the Chicago Red Stars 4-1 in their first playoff match.

After a disappointing miss in the playoffs last year, the Current (16-3-7) bounced back with a remarkable season, ending fourth and breaking the league record by scoring 57 goals. Chawinga was a standout, contributing 20 goals to this tally; her performance earned her the NWSL Golden Boot, and she set a new benchmark for the most goals scored in a single season.

Chawinga wasted no time proving her worth, scoring just eight minutes into the match. Following a saved breakaway opportunity, the Current maintained possession but saw their second shot hit the post. Chawinga capitalized on the rebound; even after her close-range shot was initially blocked, she converted on the second attempt, making history by scoring the 100th goal in NWSL playoff history.

“Honestly, at first, I wasn’t even sure who scored. I had to check because we had so many shots on goal,” Current captain Lo’eau LaBonta reflected after the game. “This truly demonstrates our teamwork, and that’s exactly what led us to this victory.”

The Courage (12-11-3), who ended the regular season in fifth place, exerted considerable pressure on the Current during the second half. With fresh substitutes bringing speed into the match, North Carolina outshot Kansas City 7-2 in the final half, but the Current’s defense held firm, registering their sixth shutout in the last nine games.

“This was a challenging match in every aspect—physically, tactically, and mentally—but the team overcame it all. I couldn’t be prouder of their effort,” commented Current head coach Vlatko Andonovski.

Should the Current defeat the Pride, they will return to CPKC Stadium on November 23. This new venue has been designated to host the NWSL championship game in 2024.