US Under 17 Women Fall in World Cup Final

The US Under 17 Womens National Team fell to North Korea in the U17 World Cup Final held in New Zealand.  A dream start would not hold up as the Americans fell 2-1 in overtime.  After losing their opening match to Japan the US squad bounced back well going on a winning streak and earning a spot in the final.

The Americans came out flying and were rewarded in just the 3rd minute when a long throw-in bounced awkwardly in front of the North Korean goal, struck defender Hong Myong Hui and looped over the goalkeeper's outstretched arms into the net.  Conditions were very windy on the evening and it greatly effected the match.

The lead would hold up until late in the 2nd half when the North Koreans were able to tie the score as Kim Un Hyang scored.  The game would go to extra time where Jang Hyon Sun scored the goal to break the US women's hearts.

The US picked up several individual tournament awards with Vicki DiMartino winning the Silver Boot as the tournament’s second leading scorer with five total goals, behind only Germany’s Dzsenifer Marozsan who had six. DiMartino also became the first player in US soccer history to score in five consecutive games in a World Cup.