Tampa, Fla. - NC Courage U23 and Colorado Storm have advanced to the 2024 USL W League Final after two thrilling semifinal matches. The Courage will host the Final at WRAL Soccer Park in Raleigh, NC, on Saturday, July 20. 

The Courage defeated Tennessee SC 2-1 in extra time on Saturday night and will head to their second consecutive W League Final. Meanwhile, Colorado Storm won 2-1 against Detroit City FC on the road to play in the Final in its first season in the W League. 

The Courage looked strong at WakeMed Soccer Park and were the first to break the deadlock after a scoreless first half. They earned a free kick in the 59th minute, and despite Tennessee goalkeeper Bailie Fiore making two stops, Penn State defender Kayleigh Herr found the rebound and tapped it in for the 1-0 lead. 

Tennessee hung around and managed to earn a penalty kick in the 93rd minute to keep their playoff hopes alive. The team’s leading goal scorer Anna Haddock finished from the spot to send the match into extra time. In the second period of extra time, 17-year-old Syrianna Davis blasted a shot into the top right corner, sending the Courage back to the Final. 

Over at Keyworth Stadium, it was another close battle between the Storm and Detroit City. Detroit got on the board ten minutes into the match after defender Avery Peters got onto a loose ball and chipped the keeper to put Le Rouge up 1-0. Reese McDermott later found the equalizer by heading in a corner to put the score at 1-1 going into halftime. 

It looked like the second match would also go into extra time as both teams came close but were unable to find their second goal of the night. It wasn’t until two minutes into second half stoppage time that forward Amy Smith took a shot that hit off the post and rebounded to McDermott, who calmly finished to earn the brace and the win. 

Kickoff time for the W League Final is to be announced. Follow the W League on Instagram and Twitter for playoff updates.