U.S. U-17 Women’s National Team off to flying start with 4-0 win over China PR at NTC Invitational
CARSON, Calif. – The U.S. Under-17 Women’s National Team rolled to a comprehensive victory against China PR in its first match of the 2014 Women’s NTC Invitational, winning 4-0 as forward Kelcie Hedge and midfielder Mallory Pugh both scored twice.
In the other match of the day, Japan defeated New Zealand 5-0 on goals from Rikako Kobayashi, Yui Hasegawa, Hina Sugita, Meika Nishida and Asato Miyagawa.
The USA, which out-shot China 18-2 and had seven corner kicks to the visitor’s zero, opened the scoring in the 13th minute, as forward Madison Haley raced down the right side and crossed on the ground. The ball skimmed off the foot of Hedge, hit midfielder Michelle Xiao in the foot and then bounced back to Hedge who finished smartly into the lower left corner from seven yards out for her third international goal.
Pugh, the USA’s leading scorer in this cycle, made it 2-0 just two minutes later after center-back Natalie Jacobs played a long pass into the left side of the penalty area for midfielder Taylor Racioppi, who took the ball to the end line before cutting it back into the middle. Pugh initially got the ball caught under her feet for a moment, but made up for it by smashing a right-footed shot into the roof of the net from 13 yards out.
Hedge got her second in the 34th minute after midfielder Marley Canales nutmegged a defender on the left wing before sending in a cross. Hedge made a nice run to score off a first-time half-volley with her left foot 11 yards out, rolling the ball into the lower left corner to make it 3-0 heading into halftime.
It didn’t stay that way for long as Pugh – the U.S. captain – scored her 13th international goal at the U-17 level in the first minute of the second half. This time it was Hedge who played the ball to Pugh inside the penalty area and she skillfully touched it around the goalkeeper before slotting home from eight yards for the final 4-0 margin.
The U.S. team defense did not allow a shot on goal.
The USA will face New Zealand on Friday, Feb. 7, at 6 p.m. PT, while China plays Japan in the first match at 3 p.m. PT. The young Americans finish the tournament on Sunday, Feb. 9, against Japan at 4 p. m. PT, preceded by New Zealand vs. China at 1 p.m. PT. All matches are free to the public and are being played on the Glenn “Mooch” Myernick Field at the U.S. Soccer National Training Center at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.
This will be the last U-17 event for players born in 1997 and 1998 as they will then transition to the U-18 and U-20 Women’s National Teams. The ’99-born players will then become the primary age group for the U-17s as they start preparations for qualifying for the 2016 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
– U.S. U-17 Women’s National Team Match Report –
Match: United States U-17 Women’s National Team vs. China U-17 Women’s National Team
Date: February 5, 2014
Competition: 2014 U-17 Women’s NTC Invitational
Venue: Glenn “Mooch” Myernick Field; U.S. Soccer National Training Center; Carson, Calif.
Kickoff: 6 p.m. PT
Weather: 57 degrees, windy
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 3 1 4
CHN 0 0 0
USA – Kelcie Hedge (Michelle Xiao) 13th minute
USA – Mallory Pugh (Taylor Racioppi) 15
USA – Kelcie Hedge (Marley Canales) 34
USA – Mallory Pugh (Kelcie Hedge) 46
Lineups:
USA: 18-Kat Hess; 12-Tegan McGrady, 6-Natalie Jacobs, 9-Zoe Morse, 10-Ellie Jean; 14-Taylor Racioppi (2-Dorian Bailey, 63), 4-Marley Canales (16-Karlie Paschall, 82), 17-Mallory Pugh (19-Anika Rodriguez, 78); 11-Michelle Xiao (22-Maddy Schultz, 63), 3-Maddie Haley (15-Zoe Redei, 46), 8-Kelcie Hedge (20-Leah Pruitt, 78)
Subs not used: Ashley Sanchez, Taryn Torres, Frankie Tagliaferri, Mia Gyau, Alana Cook, Chloe Castaneda, Lauren Rood
Head Coach: BJ Snow
CHN: 1-Pan Jingying: 2-Tang Hui (16-Liu Yan, 46), 5-Yao Wei, 14-Wan Ruyi (4-Zhao Yuxin, 53), 3-Wang Ying; 6-Fan Yuqui, 9-Qin Manman, 7-Liu Jing (11-Xu Jiameng, 46); 17-Hu Yuanxin, (12-Wu Ye, 76) 24-Li Gong, 8-Cui Yuhan
Subs not used: Liu Jing, Wang Xueting, Liu Mengxue, Peng Shimeng, Li Jianghong, Dai Chenying, Xiao Jingfang, Ma Li, Chen Yuden, Gong Li, WuRiLiGe
Head Coach: Gao Hong
Stats Summary: USA / CHN
Shots: 18 / 2
Shots on Goal: 7 / 0
Saves: 0 / 3
Corner Kicks: 7 / 0
Fouls: 7 / 4
Offside: 0 / 0
Misconduct Summary:
Officials:
Referee: Jasmine Peralta (USA)
Assistant Referee 1: Eduardo Mariscal (USA)
Assistant Referee 2: Kate Chapman (USA)
Fourth Official: Rebekah Friedrich (USA)
