CARY, N.C. (Jan. 4, 2024) – The North Carolina Courage today announce the recall of goalkeeper Hensley Hancuff from loan to Växjö DFF of the Swedish Premier Division (OBOS Damallsvenskan), effective January 1.
Hancuff, who is signed with the Courage through the 2025 season, went on loan in August and returns to the club to report to preseason camp later this month. She is recalled after Katelyn Rowland was selected by Bay FC in the 2024 NWSL Expansion Draft and will rejoin goalkeepers Casey Murphy and Marisa Bova on the Courage roster.
Hancuff was signed as a National Team Replacement Player in 2023 before signing a multi-year contract extension in August. She made five appearances while on loan with Växjö, including four league fixtures and a match in the Svenska Cuppen Women. She picked up two wins and a pair of clean sheets.
Hancuff played collegiately at Villanova then Clemson University, where she led the Tigers to the quarterfinals of the 2020 College Cup as a junior. Her 0.79 goals-against average that season ranked fifth all time in Clemson history for a single campaign.
She was drafted 24th overall in the 2022 NWSL Draft by Gotham FC but did not make an appearance for the club. After the 2022 season, Gotham loaned Hancuff to the Brisbane Roar of the Australian A-League. She played every minute of the season and made 72 saves en route to the Players’ Player of the Year Award; the third American to earn the honor.
ABOUT THE NORTH CAROLINA COURAGE
The North Carolina Courage begin their eighth season of competition in 2024 since beginning play in the National Women’s Soccer League (USSF Division I) in 2017. The Courage were formed after Steve Malik purchased the Western New York Flash and relocated the franchise to Cary, North Carolina, and play their home games at WakeMed Soccer Park. The Courage have the most trophies in NWSL history, claiming seven league trophies as three-time NWSL Shield winners (2017, 2018, 2019), two-time NWSL Champions (2018, 2019), and two-time UKG NWSL Challenge Cup champions (2022, 2023). The Courage also won the 2018 ICC Championship.
