U.S. U-20 Women Open Pan-American Games With 7-1 Win Over Paraguay; Forward Lauren Cheney Scores Hat Trick For USA

The U.S. Under-20 Women’s National Soccer Team defeated Paraguay 7-1 in its first match at the 2007 Pan American Games as forward Lauren Cheney notched a true hat trick. The match marked the first game of the competition at the new João Havelange Stadium.

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (July 12, 2007) -- The U.S. Under-20 Women’s National Soccer Team defeated Paraguay 7-1 in its first match at the 2007 Pan American Games as forward Lauren Cheney notched a true hat trick. The match marked the first game of the competition at the new João Havelange Stadium.

The U.S. went behind early as Paraguay shocked the Americans with a goal just three minutes into the match, but the U.S. team quickly recovered and calmed nerves in the first major international game for this group of players. Kelley O’Hara tied the game in the 17th minute, followed by the start of Cheney’s hat trick two minutes later. Cheney also scored in the 38th minute and then five minutes after the break. Cheney and O’Hara are veterans of the U.S. team that played in the 2006 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Championship in Russia.

“When the game first started the girls had some nerves to get out,” said U.S. head coach Jillian Ellis. “But as the game progressed the girls were able to play with more confidence and achieve our goal to win the first game and now it is on to the next match. We are excited to be in Brazil and I am looking forward to playing all of the games.”

Paraguay had few attempts on goal throughout the game and the U.S. dominated possession. Forward Casey Nogueira and Cheney weaved through Paraguay’s defense all game long and combined for 11 shots on goal, four of which found the net.

O’Hara got her second goal in the 52nd minute, Nogueira got her lone score in the 66th minute and forward Jessica McDonald put a capper on the game with the USA’s seventh goal just two minutes later. Defender Brittany Taylor anchored a U.S. defense that allowed just three shots on goal.

“This is a great opportunity for us to come out and play and it’s a huge honor,” said Cheney, who captained the U.S. team. “Paraguay was good competition and played with great spirit. I was really proud of my team for fighting back and how they reacted to get a win.”

The U.S. Under-20s will now focus on facing Panama on July 14, 2007 at Miécimo da Silva Sport Complex.

U.S. UNDER-20 WOMEN'S NATIONAL TEAM GAME REPORT

Match-up: USA vs. Paraguay
Competition: 2007 Pan American Games – Group D
Venue: Joao Havelange Stadium – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Date: July 12, 2007; Kickoff – 6:15 p.m. (Brazil Time)
Attendance: N/A
Weather: Cloudy, Rainy- 66 degrees

Scoring Summary:
                1    2    F
USA        3    4    7
PAR        1    0    1

PAR – Mirta Alarcon 3rd minute.
USA – Kelley O’Hara 17.
USA – Lauren Cheney 19.
USA – Lauren Cheney 38.
USA – Lauren Cheney 50.
USA – Kelley O’Hara 52.
USA – Casey Nogueira 66.
USA – Jessica McDonald 68.

Lineups:
USA -- 18-Chantel Jones; 2-Brittany Taylor, 4-Kaley Fountain (13-Lauren Barnes, 80), 6- Nikki Marshall, 7-Casey Nogueira; 8-Lauren Cheney – Capt. (9-Jessica McDonald, 61), 10- Michelle Enyheart, 11-Tobin Heath, Becky Edwards (3-Nikki Washington 70), 16-Lauren Wilmoth, 17-Kelley O’Hara.
Subs not used: 1-Alyssa Naeher, 5-Teresa Noyola, 12-Kylie Wright, 14- Gina Dimartino.
Head Coach: Jill Ellis

PAR -- 1-Gloria Rodriguez; 2-Myriam Vielma, 3-Mirta Alarcon, 4-Silvia Getto – Capt., 7-Nadia Rodas (13-Carmen Benitez, 85); 8-Veronica Riveros (16-Anabel Rodriguez, 77), 9-Dulce Maria Quintana, 10-Francisca Aguero (14- Gloria Villamayor, 60); 11- Karina Vega, 15-Joana Galeano, 17-Jessica Santacruz.
Subs not used: 5- Raquel Ramirez, 6-Carina Martinez, 12-Edda Vera, 18-Mara Talavera.
Head Coach: Cabrera Agustin

Statistical Summary:
USA / PAR
Shots: 19 / 8
Shots on Goal: 13 / 3
Saves: 3 / 6
Corner Kicks: 8 / 2
Fouls: 13 / 5
Offside: 4 / 1

Misconduct Summary: N/A

Officials:
Referee: Djalma Beltrame (BRA)
Asst. Referee: Aristeu Tavares (BRA)
Asst. Referee: Marco Gomes (BRA)
4th Official: Cesar de Oliveira Paulo (BRA)

Sierra Mist Woman of the Match: Lauren Cheney

2007 Pan American Games Women’s Soccer Schedule

July 12, 2007	Venue
Argentina 2 vs. Panama 0	Miécimo da Silva Sport Complex
Jamaica 1, Ecuador	Miécimo da Silva Sport Complex
Brazil 4, Uruguay 0	João Havelange Stadium
USA 7, Paraguay 1	João Havelange Stadium
July 14, 2007	Venue
Uruguay vs. Canada	Miécimo da Silva Sport Complex
USA vs. Panama	Miécimo da Silva Sport Complex
Brazil vs. Jamaica	João Havelange Stadium
Paraguay vs. Mexico	João Havelange Stadium
July 16, 2007	Venue
Panama vs. Paraguay	Miécimo da Silva Sport Complex
Jamaica vs. Uruguay	Miécimo da Silva Sport Complex
Canada vs. Ecuador	João Havelange Stadium
Mexico vs. Argentina	João Havelange Stadium
July 18, 2007	Venue
Panama vs. Mexico	Miécimo da Silva Sport Complex
USA vs. Argentina	João Havelange Stadium
Brazil vs. Ecuador	João Havelange Stadium
Jamaica vs. Canada	Zico Football Center - CFZ
July 20, 2007	Venue
Argentina vs. Paraguay	Miécimo da Silva Sport Complex
Uruguay vs. Ecuador	Miécimo da Silva Sport Complex
Mexico vs. USA	Maracanã Stadium
Brazil vs. Canada	Maracanã Stadium
July 23, 2007	Venue
Semifinals	Maracanã Stadium
July 26, 2007	Venue
Finals	Maracanã Stadium