July 25, 2010
AUGSBURG, Germany -- - The United States U-20 Women's National Team, which featured Penn State student-athletes Christine Nairn (Arnold, Md.) and Maya Hayes (Livingston, N.J.), failed to advance on Sunday at the World Cup after a controversial 4-2 loss in penalty kicks to Nigeria after a 1-1 draw.
The U.S. and Nigeria were deadlocked at one after 90 minutes of regulation and two 15-minute extra time sessions, which forced the match to be decided in penalty kicks. After Nairn was unable to put away the first kick from the penalty spot, Nigeria made its first two shots, while Molly Pathman and Kristie Mewis each made penalties to knot things up at two apiece with a shot in hand for Nigeria. From there, controversy ensued.
Ester Sunday was Nigeria's third kicker and had her initial shot saved by American goalkeeper Bianca Henninger. Referee Alexandra Ihringova ruled Henninger had left her line too early and ordered a re-kick. Sunday's shot was again blocked by a wonderful Henninger save as Sunday retreated to the midfield line and the score standing at two. While Sunday was nearly at midfield, Ihringova called Sunday back as her second shot was ruled an illegal save in the same manor as the first. Sunday made the third shot for a 3-2 lead and U.S. striker Sydney Leroux's attempt went over the bar to seal the Americans' fate.
The United States dominated play in the first half, scoring on an Amber Brooks goal in the ninth minute. The U.S. out-shot Nigeria by a count of 16-4 in the first frame as the two sides went to the locker room with a one-goal margin.
Hayes entered the game for the United States in the 74th minute as a reserve and helped to provide plenty of spark to a stagnated offense. Nevertheless, Nigeria found its way into the U.S. defensive zone for an equalizer.
The rough-and-tumble game, which saw 30 fouls called, 26 on Nigeria, finally caught up to the Americans when Nigeria capitalized on a rare free kick in the 80th minute to tie the score at one.
The U.S. used Hayes on the right flank and in the 104th minute saw her beat a pair of defenders inside the penalty area. Her crossing pass from the near post didn't find another American attacker and Nigeria cleared the ball away. Unfortunately for Hayes, Nairn and the rest of the U.S. side, the hopes of repeating as World Champions like they did in 2008, fell by the wayside in penalty kicks.
Nairn wore the captain's armband for the second-straight game, as she had also served as captain in a 5-0 win over Switzerland.
Nairn and Hayes will return stateside to help Penn State in its 2010 campaign for the 13th consecutive Big Ten Championship. Training camp begins in early August and the first official match is set for August 20 at West Virginia.
--NITTANY LIONS--