Denver Summit FC Misses NWSL Playoffs After Stoppage-Time Own Goal

Denver Summit FC entered the final day of the National Women's Soccer League season with a mathematical chance to reach the playoffs. That chance ended Sunday night in Cary, North Carolina, when a stoppage-time own goal forced a 1-0 defeat against the North Carolina Courage.

The loss locked Denver into 10th place in the standings with a record of 11 wins, 11 losses, and 8 draws. The team collected 41 points for the season. North Carolina improved to 14 wins, 13 losses, and 3 draws for 45 points, but the victory did not secure them a postseason spot. Seattle Reign clinched the final playoff position with a separate 1-0 win.

Denver controlled the early phases of the match, holding 70% possession during the first 20 minutes. The team generated three scoring chances and registered seven shots before the halftime break. The sides remained scoreless at the interval.

Goalkeeper Abby Smith made five saves for Denver throughout the match. She denied the Courage on two direct free kicks to keep the score tied. The game remained 0-0 until the final moments of regulation.

In the 94th minute, Kaleigh Kurtz inadvertently directed the ball into her own net. The own goal gave North Carolina the only goal of the match and sealed the result. The result ended Denver's bid for a playoff berth.

Kurtz played the full 90 minutes to achieve a personal milestone. She became the first player in NWSL history to earn five consecutive seasons as an ironwoman, playing every minute available to her. Her consecutive minutes streak now stands at 12,922 across 144 matches.

Forward Ally Brazier returned to the lineup after missing seven games from late August to early October. She played 16 minutes. The team finished its first season with 53 goals, a league record for an expansion franchise. That total tied the 2018 North Carolina Courage for the third-highest regular season goal total in league history.