CARY, N.C. (Jan. 3, 2020)- Kristen Hamilton, Denise O’Sullivan, and Lynn Williams had a lot to celebrate on New Year’s Eve in Australia. The three NC Courage staples are making a name for themselves in Australia as they play on loan in the W-League for the Western Sydney Wanderers. Just days after winning the 2019 NWSL Championship, the trio traveled abroad to start the season with the Wanderers.

Western Sydney is undefeated so far this season, meaning Hamilton, O’Sullivan, and Williams have not lost a game since September. Needless to say, they ended an already impressive year with a bang.

Williams will be following up on a successful year by starting 2020 off at the United States Women’s National Team January Camp. Williams, who was left off the USWNT roster for most of 2019, finally got her breakthrough under new head coach Vlatko Andonovski. The speedy forward was named to the November Roster for USWNT friendlies, seeing her first chance with the team since early 2018. She did not squander her opportunity, scoring two goals in her 88 minutes on the field.

On the NWSL side of things, Williams finished runner-up for the 2019 Golden Boot for the second-consecutive season. She took 99 shots, 12 of which found the back of the net. Many W-League fans believe she will claim the W-League Golden Boot, as Williams has four goals through five games with the Western Sydney Wanderers.

O’Sullivan racked in huge awards in 2019 including MVP of the NC Courage and Ireland’s Women’s Senior Football Player of the Year. She held the Courage midfield together, playing in 25 games for 2,158 minutes and leading the team to a third-consecutive NWSL Shield and the 2019 NWSL Championship.

The Irish midfielder wrapped up 2019 having played five of her seven games on loan with the Wanderers. While she does not play a goal-scoring role with the Courage, she found the net once with the Wanderers and also has an assist. O’Sullivan will play two more games with the Wanderers before taking a brief break ahead of the 2020 NWSL Season. The NC Courage playmaker will return to the team with a new multi-year contract.

Hamilton had the best season of her career in 2019, standing out in the NWSL while many players were away for the World Cup. After a hat trick and a four-goal game, Hamilton was the most talked about player for several weeks. She earned three NWSL Player of the Week nods and a Player of the Month award. She caught the eye of former USWNT head coach Jill Ellis and was a guest player during the USWNT’s victory tour.

The Colorado native did not slow down. Hamilton immediately made her way to Australia in time for the Wanderers' first game of the season, where she scored her first W-League goal. Since then, she has scored another hat trick. Hamilton will start 2020 with the Wanderers playing an exhibition match against the Chinese Women’s National Team, giving the forward more international experience.

The future is bright for these three NC Courage stars as they start a new year and a new decade.

Fans can see Hamilton, O’Sullivan, and Williams suit up for the North Carolina Courage in 2020 at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park. Season tickets are now available here or by calling 919-459-8144.

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