By 
Copper Queens skipper, Barbra Banda, scored a brace and registered an assist as Orlando Pride continued with their 100 percent start to the Women’s Soccer League (WSL) season.
Pride beat North Carolina Courage 4-1 to record a fourth straight win of the 2024 National Women’s Soccer League regular season.
Banda set up the opener in the 29th minute after sprinting from her own half before passing the ball to Ally Watt who found the back of the net.
According to Zambian football.co.zm, Banda then transitioned into finisher, scoring off Watt’s assist in the 40th minute in a move she started.
Banda was a thorn in the flesh of the opposing side.
The second most expensive player in the world moved past two defenders before firing a strike which the Courage goalkeeper failed to deal with Julie Doyle being at hand to fire home the rebound in stoppage time.
Courage pulled one back seven minutes into the second half thanks to an own goal from Emily Sams.
Kylie Strom thought she had gotten her first goal of the season but after a lengthy VAR review the goal was disallowed for an offside in the build up.
Banda was not finished as she restored Prides’ three goal lead as she went through the Courage defence before scoring with a beautiful low shot.
The Zambia women’s national team star player was withdrawn in the 83rd minute after a knock.
Courage started pushing to come back in the final minutes of the game but Pride held on to win the game and move to third place with 15 points.
They are still unbeaten after seven games with four wins and three draws.
Barbra Banda has now been involved in five goals in the three games she has played so far (3 goals and 2 assists).
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