University of North Carolina Athletics
USA Advances To Olympic Semis With Shutout Win
August 3, 2012 | Women's Soccer
NEWCASTLE, England (Aug. 3, 2012) - The U.S. Women's National Team downed New Zealand 2-0 on Friday in the 2012 Olympics at St. James' Park as Abby Wambach scored her fourth goal in four matches and second-half sub Sydney Leroux tallied her first Olympic goal late in the second half to seal the semifinal berth.
UNC alumnae Tobin Heath and Heather O'Reilly both played key roles in the U.S. victory. Heath played all 90 minutes and earned her third assist of these Olympic Games on an insurance goal by Sydney Leroux in the 87th minute of action. O'Reilly came on in the 71st minute in relief of Megan Rapinoe for the American side and provide a constant attacking presence, just missing adding a third goal in stoppage time.
O'Reilly is seeking her third successive Olympic gold medal as she played on winning U.S. units in 2004 in Athens and 2008 in Beijing. Heath was also a member of the American team in Beijing and is seeking a second Olympic championship.
The USA will face either Canada or Great Britain in the semifinals at 2:45 p.m. ET on Monday, Aug. 6, at Old Trafford in Manchester, England. The USA, vying for its fourth gold medal and third in a row, will also be playing in its 500th international match on Monday. Following the victory against New Zealand, the U.S. WNT improved to 388-57-54 in 499 games.
Wambach's game-winning goal in the 27th minute gives her eight career Olympic goals and 142 for her international career. Leroux, making her third Olympic appearance, scored an insurance goal in the 87th minute. Alex Morgan notched her third assist in this year's Olympic Games with the cross to Wambach in the 27th minute.
The U.S. is 4-0-0 in this year's Olympics and has posted three straight shutouts since a 4-2 win over France to open group play.
U.S. Women's National Team Match Report
Match: U.S. Women's National Team vs. New Zealand
Date: Aug. 3, 2012
Competition: 2012
Olympic Games; Quarterfinal
Venue: St. James' Park;
Newcastle, England
Kickoff: 2:30 p.m.
local (9:30 a.m. ET)
Weather: 65 degrees, sunny
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA
1 1 2
NZL
0 0 0
USA - Abby Wambach (Alex
Morgan)
27th minute
USA - Sydney Leroux (Tobin
Heath)
87
Lineups:
USA: 1-Hope Solo; 6-Amy LePeilbet, 3-Christie Rampone
(capt.), 16-Rachel Buehler, 5-Kelley O'Hara; 15-Megan Rapinoe (9-Heather
O'Reilly, 71), 10-Carli Lloyd, 12-Lauren Cheney (8-Amy Rodriguez, 90+1),
17-Tobin Heath; 13-Alex Morgan (11-Sydney Leroux, 80), 14-Abby Wambach
Subs not used: 2-Heather Mitts, 4-Becky
Sauerbrunn, 7-Shannon Boxx, 18-Nicole Barnhart
Head coach: Pia Sundhage
NZL: 1-Jenny Bindon; 2-Ria Percival, 5-Abby Erceg, 6-Rebecca Smith (capt.),
7-Ali Riley; 4-Katie Hoyle (16-Annalie Longo, 90+4), 11-Kirsty Yallop (8-Hayley
Moorwood, 57), 12-Betsy Hassett, 10-Sarah Gregorius; 9-Amber Hearn, 17-Hannah
Wilkinson (13-Rosie White, 77)
Subs not used: 18-Rebecca Rolls, 3-Anna
Green, 14-Kristy Hill, 15-Rebekah Stott
Head coach: Tony Readings
Statistical Summary: USA / NZL
Shots: 16 / 8
Shots on Goal: 8 / 4
Saves: 4 / 6
Corner Kicks: 6 / 0
Fouls: 14 / 6
Offside: 2 / 0
Misconduct Summary:
USA - Abby Wambach
(caution)
43rd minute
USA - Carli Lloyd
(caution)
79
Officials:
Referee: Jesica Di Iorio (ARG)
Assistant Referee 1: Marina Corbo (URU)
Assistant Referee 2: Maria Rocco (SWE)
Fourth Official: Therese Neguel (CMR)
