World Cup: A North Carolina Courage group stage update

REIMS, FRANCE - JUNE 11: Samantha Mewis of USA celebrates scoring their 4th goal with Megan Rapinoe during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between USA and Thailand at Stade Auguste Delaune on June 11, 2019 in Reims, France. (Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Getty Images) /

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MONTPELLIER, FRANCE – JUNE 20: Abby Erceg of New Zealand tackles Gabrielle Aboudi Onguene of Cameroon during the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup France group E match between Cameroon and New Zealand at Stade de la Mosson on June 20, 2019 in Montpellier, France. (Photo by Johannes Simon – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) /

Abby Erceg

One of the best defenders in the world, Abby Erceg started her World Cup run with New Zealand against the potent attack of the Netherlands. And even the best can only hold on for so long as the European champions found the net in stoppage time to give New Zealand a 1-0 defeat to start their 2019 journey.

Unfortunately for Erceg and company, they had perhaps an even better opponent in Canada waiting in the shadows. And with the high-flying Canadian attack headed by Christine Sinclair and Jessie Flemming hitting its stride, the New Zealand defense again relinquished two goals for another 2-0 defeat in Group E.

Erceg’s time in France would turn out to be short-lived as New Zealand were unable to make it out of the group after a last-second goal by Ajara Nchout gave Cameroon a 2-1 win, sending themselves to the round of 16 while Erceg and company depart France a little quicker than expected.

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