GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala (Feb. 26, 2005) - Preston Zimmerman scored a hat trick to lead the U.S. Under-17 Men's National Team over the Aurora reserve squad 5-1 this afternoon at the Estadio del Ejercito in Guatemala City, Guatemala. The match was the final of a three-match tour for John Hackworth's squad.

After falling behind by a goal in the 17th minute, Zimmerman opened up the scoring for the U.S. with a strike two minutes later.

Quavas Kirk broke open the tie in the 27th minute, converting a penalty kick created by Ryan Soroka, who was taken down after dribbling past defenders just inside the 18-yard line on the left side.

Zimmerman notched his second goal off a pass from Kyle Nakazawa right before the end of the first half, and then buried his third goal in the 72nd minute after stealing a poor pass deep in Aurora's defensive half.

Nikolas Besagno scored the U-17s final goal of the game five minutes from the final whistle, finishing a service from Nakazawa.

The U.S. went undefeated during tour, snagging three wins and outscoring their opponents 16-4.

- U.S. Under-17 ‘88s Men’s National Team Game Report -

Participants:     U.S. Under-17 ‘88s Men’s National Team vs. Aurora
Competition:     Friendly
Location:    Estadio Del Ejercito; Guatemala City, Guatemala
Date:    Feb. 26, 2005
Weather:    Breezy, 80 degrees

Scoring Summary:   
               1st    2nd    Final
USA        3       2          5
AUR        1       0          1

AUR - #12 (#9)                                                           17th minute
USA – Preston Zimmerman (Quavas Kirk)            19th
USA – Quavas Kirk (penalty kick)                            27th
USA – Preston Zimmerman (Kyle Nakazawa)       44th
USA – Preston Zimmerman                                      72nd
USA – Nik Besagno (Kyle Nakazawa)                     85th

Lineups
USA: 1-Bryant Rueckner; 13-Blake Wagner (14-Amaechi Igwe, 46), 3-Kevin Alston (David Arvizu, 46), 5-Ofori Sarkodie (26-Richard Edgar, 81), 7-Carlos Borja; 8-Kyle Nakazawa,, 16-Nik Besagno, 33-Omar Gonzalez (21-Neven Subotic, 81); 6-Quavas Kirk (12-Eddie Ababio, 86), 9-Preston Zimmerman (17-Jeremy Hall, 78), 11-Ryan Soroka.

AUR: n/a

Statistical Summary:
                                 USA    AUR
Shots                         13        5
Saves                         4         5
Fouls                          6         1
Corner Kicks            17        16
Offside                       3           1

Misconduct Summary:
USA – Carlos Borja (caution)             33rd minute
USA – Omar Gonzalez (caution)        36th
AUR - #13 (caution)                             40th
USA – Kyle Nakazawa (caution)        43rd
AUR - #3 (expulsion)                            83rd
USA – Eddie Ababio (caution)           87th