New Zealand defender Meikayla Moore scored three own goals in the first half as the United States women’s national team defeated her team 5-0 on Sunday at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. Ashley Hatch and Mallory Pugh scored the other goals for the United States.
The Americans first got on the board five minutes into the match, when Moore stretched out her leg to defend a cross from U.S. forward Sophia Smith and redirected the ball into her own net. One minute later, Moore put the ball in her own net again, this time after Sofia Huerta crossed the ball to Margaret “Midge” Purce, whose header deflected off Moore’s head.
Purce was involved in the third goal as well, crossing the ball which Moore shanked into the back of her own net in the 36th minute.
name's Purce, because @100Purcent is always in her bag 
pic.twitter.com/GAss2w9txG
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) February 20, 2022
pic.twitter.com/GAss2w9txG— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) February 20, 2022
Huerta’s strong attacking play from the right fullback role was finally, formally rewarded on the scoresheet in the 51st minute when she assisted Hatch for the Americans’ fourth goal. Huerta picked out Hatch with a right-footed cross, and the 2021 National Women’s Soccer League Golden Boot winner headed the ball in from eight yards out.
Pugh scored the Americans’ fifth goal in second-half stoppage time, getting in behind New Zealand’s back line to go 1-v-1 with goalkeeper Erin Nayler. The U.S. only had 10 players on the field at the time. Trinity Rodman, who entered the match in the 56th minute, left the match with an apparent injury after all the team’s substitutions were used. Rodman was seen walking and smiling after the match.
.@MalPugh puts the icing on the cake 
pic.twitter.com/7y1h4MHfod
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) February 20, 2022
pic.twitter.com/7y1h4MHfod— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) February 20, 2022
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