SALOU, Spain (May 15, 2022) - The U.S. Para Women’s National Team downed a tough Australian squad 4-0 in their final group game to finish 3-0-1 and in first place as they prep for a rematch with the ParaMatildas in the inaugural IFCPF World Cup championship game on Tuesday, May 17 (at 6:45 a.m. ET / 12:45 p.m. local).
The U.S. was led by three-goal performance from former University of Connecticut defender Annie Wickett (Frederick, Md.). Wickett’s goal-scoring outburst began with back-to-back strikes in the 17th and 18th minutes to broke open a tight game. Her third came in the 24th minute (just before halftime of the 50-minute, five-a-side game). All three of her goals were unassisted.
In addition to her hat trick, Wickett went in goal for the game’s final nine minutes to help the U.S. secure their third shutout of the competition behind starter Emily Lauritsen (Omaha).
The only goal of the second half was the 11th of the tournament for the team’s scoring leader Catarina Guimarães (Cranford, N.J.). Guimarães slotted him a cross-field pass from Wickett in the game’s 35th minute.
The U.S. was led defensively by another standout performance from defender Michelle Cross, the only player to play every minute of the competition for the U.S. through four games. She and Guimarães are the only two players to start all four games.
The U.S. will have their entire squad available for selection for Tuesday’s historic final with Australia. The match will be streamed live at https://www.esportplus.tv/home at 12:45 p.m. local / 6:45 a.m. ET.
Match: United States Para Women’s National Team vs. Australia
Date: May 15, 2022
Competition: 2022 IFCPF World Cup
Venue: Futbol Salou Sports Complex
Attendance: —
Kickoff: 6:45 a.m. ET (12:45 p.m. local)
Weather: 74 degrees; sunny
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 3 1 4
AUS 0 0 0
USA – Annie Wickett (UA) 18th minute
USA – Annie Wickett (UA) 19.
USA – Annie Wickett (UA) 24.
USA – Catarina Guimarães (Annie Wickett) 35.
Lineups:
USA: 1-Emily Lauritsen (10-Jesslyn Kuhnel, 41); 2-Rebecca Ostrander, 3-Annie Wickett (captain), 4-Michelle Cross; 7-Catarina Guimarães (9-Leah Glaser, 44)
Subs Not Used: 5-Joey Martin, 6-Kat Renick, 8-Cassidy Leake
Head Coach: Tricia Taliaferro
AUS: 6-Katelyn Smith; 3-Tahlia Blanshard, 5-Lainee Harrison (4-Charlize Tran, 26), 9-Rae Anderson (2-Nicole Christodoulou, 46), 10-Georgia Beikoff (captain) (7-Eloise Northam, 26)
Subs Not Used: 1-Holly Saunders, 8-Matilda Mason
Head coach: Kelly Stirton
Stats Summary: USA / AUS
Shots: 21 / 8
Saves: 6 / 9
Corner Kicks: 2 / 0
Fouls: 1 / 0
Misconduct Summary:
None.
Officials:
Referee: Hector Robas
Referee: Andrea Coca