Sanchez overtakes Chawinga in Golden Boot race

Apr 25, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; North Carolina Courage Ashley Sanchez (2) controls the ball during the first half against the Houston Dash at Shell Energy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Sanchez overtakes Chawinga in Golden Boot race

Originally posted on The Equalizer | Last updated Jul 5, 2026 12:11 AM ET

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Ashley Sanchez secured her second brace of the season Saturday, propelling the North Carolina Courage to a 3-1 victory at home over the Seattle Reign.

Sanchez has now scored nine goals for the 2025-26 season, a career best for the 27-year-old midfielder. The tally puts her second in the National Women’s Soccer League Golden Boot race.

She overtakes the Kansas City Current’s Temwa Chawinga, who scored her eighth goal Friday in a win over the Denver Summit, and is now behind only Barbra Banda of the Orlando Pride in the race. Banda has been out since late May with a thigh injury.

It's a Party in the USA pic.twitter.com/q5fGh0J40p
— NC Courage (@TheNCCourage) July 5, 2026

Following an opening goal Saturday from Reign midfielder Sally Menti in the 19th minute, Sanchez responded less than four minutes later with a shot from the edge of the box.

The Courage went on to score two more unanswered goals, including a penalty from Riley Jackson in the 64th minute. Sanchez’s strike finished the job in the 71st minute.

Shinny sends it to Sanchez for her second brace this season pic.twitter.com/V9o0V55uk3
— NC Courage (@TheNCCourage) July 5, 2026

Sanchez scored her first brace of the season in North Carolina’s 2-1 season-opening win over Racing Louisville. The Courage have now won four straight, leapfrogging to sixth place in the league table.

This article first appeared on The Equalizer and was syndicated with permission.

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