U.S. U-20 WNT defeats Panama 6-1 in World Cup Qualifying

SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras (Via U.S. Soccer) – The U.S. Under-20 Women’s National Team defeated Panama 6-1 in its second match of the 2015 CONCACAF U-20 Women’s Championship behind impressive scoring performances from forward duo Jessie Scarpa and Mallory Pugh.

The U.S. sits tied with Mexico atop Group B as both team have four points and a plus-five goal difference after Mexico also claimed a win in the day’s earlier game, beating Haiti 5-0. The two rivals tied 2-2 in their opening group match and will vie for top spot in the group on Wednesday when Mexico faces Panama (11 a.m. ET, FOX Soccer Plus) and the U.S. plays Haiti (3 p.m. ET, FOX Soccer 2GO and delayed on FOX Soccer Plus: 9:30 p.m. ET). Haiti sits third in Group B with three points and Panama is last with zero.

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Scarpa’s hat trick led the scoring for the U.S. and was bolstered by two assists from Pugh, who also bagged a pair of goals. Kelcie Hedge grabbed the USA’s first goal, kick starting the rout in the eighth minute. Additionally, 17-year-old Ashley Sanchez came off the bench to turn in a fine performance, notching two assists.

With Canada looking strong and sitting atop Group A, the U.S. will be keen to put in a high-scoring performance against Haiti on Wednesday in order to give itself the best possible chance of claiming top spot in Group B and avoiding a potential semifinal match-up with its northern neighbor.

The tournament semifinals are scheduled for Dec. 11 (6 and 9 p.m. ET, FOX Sports 2) with the two winners earning automatic berths to the 2016 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The winner of the tournament’s third place match is also awarded a place at the World Cup. The 2015 CONCACAF Women’s Championship final is scheduled for Dec. 13 and will be broadcast on FOX Sports 2.

– Under-20 Women’s National Team Match Report –

Match: U.S. U-20 Women’s National Team vs. Panama
Date: Dec. 6, 2015
Competition: 2015 CONCACAF Women’s U-20 Championship
Venue: Escuela Internacional Sampedran; San Pedro Sula, Honduras
Weather: 79 degrees; Rain

Scoring Summary:       1          2          F
USA                                3          2          5
PAN                                 0          1          1

USA – Kelcie Hedge (Jessie Scarpa)                   8th minute
USA – Mallory Pugh (Savannah de Melo)          11
USA – Jessie Scarpa (Mallory Pugh)                   42
USA – Jessie Scarpa (Mallory Pugh)                   47
USA – Mallory Pugh (Ashley Sanchez)              78
PAN – Keisilyn Gutierrez                                    82

Lineups:
USA: 1-Rose Chandler; 16-Emily Fox, 2-Natalie Jacobs, 5-Tierna Davidson, 4-Sabrina Flores; 11-Kelcie Hedge (20-Zoe Redei, 46), 17-Parker Roberts, 6-Savannah DeMelo (13-Ashley Sanchez, 71), 12-Kiara Pickett (7-Marley Canales, 32); 15-Jessie Scarpa, 10-Mallory Pugh (capt.)
Subs not used: 3-Mikaela Harvey, 8-Ella Stevens, 9-Jordan Harr, 14-Taylor Otto, 18-Brooke Heinsohn, 19-Shannon Horgan
Head coach: Michelle French 

PAN: 12-Keytin Oglivie; 6-Laurie Batista (capt.), 4-Katherine Castillo, 3-Maria Murillo, 2-Ariadna Stuart; 10-Marta Cox, 9-Karla Riley (15-Estafania Salas, 81), 8-Gilean Romero (17-Darlin Branda, 51), 7-Nicol Flores (18-Keisilyn Gutierrez, 63); 14-Solemar Ortiz, 11-Yassiel Franco
Subs not used: 1-Karen Chavarria, 5-Yomira Pinzon, 13-Ivonne Fernandez, 16-Rosario Vargas, 19-Mariana Molina, 20-Miluska Guevara
Head coach: Raiza Gutierrez

Stats Summary: USA / PAN
Shots:  /
Shots on Goal:  /
Saves:  /
Corner Kicks:  /
Fouls:  /
Offside:   / 

Misconduct Summary:
PAN – Yassiel Franco (caution)               44th minute
PAN – Marta Cox (caution)                     62
PAN – Laurie Batista (caution)                68

Officials:
Referee: Gillian Martindale (BAR)
Asst. Referee 1: Marie-Han Gagnon-Chertin (CAN)
Asst. Referss 2: Nereida Diaz (CUB)
4th Official: Marie-Soleil Beaudoin (TRI)