July 13, 2011
BLOG: State College Erupts in Women's World Cup Fever
MÖNCHENGLADBACH, Germany - Penn State women's soccer alum Ali Krieger played every minute in a 3-1 semifinal victory over France in the FIFA Women's World Cup. Krieger started her fifth straight match at right fullback, anchoring a U.S. defense that held off an offensively powered French team.
The United States got off to a strong start with a goal by Lauren Cheney in the ninth minute off a crossing effort from Heather O'Reilly. The Americans took a 1-0 lead into the locker room, but France took all the momentum from the start of the second half and eventually equalized in the 55th with a goal by Sonia Bompastor.
The U.S. played with a better sense of urgency after the goal and controlled possession for much of the next 20 minutes. The hardwork paid off as the Stars and Stripes earned a corner kick. France's propensity to give up goals off set pieces burned it again as hero Abby Wambach headed home yet another late goal in the 79th minute, sending the Borussia Park fan contingent into fervor. Across the pond, fans in State College watching Krieger and the Americans, also went delirious in celebration when Wambach's goal found the back of the net.
Cheers went up again just three minutes later as substitute striker Alex Morgan notched her first World Cup goal with a clever left-footed shot on a breakaway for an insurmountable 3-1 lead and a ticket into the Final. The Americans will play for their third world title (1991, 1999). The U.S. snapped a two-game skid in the semifinals after losses to Germany (2003) and Brazil (2007).
Just to reach the semifinals, the United States had to make a stunning comeback to get past Brazil this past Sunday. Krieger notched the deciding penalty kick for a 5-3 win after a 2-2 draw. Wambach scored in the 122nd minute as the Americans played a player down following a second-half dismissal, forcing the shootout.
Sweden or Japan await the Red, White and Blue for the Sunday final in Frankfurt. The final takes place in Krieger's second hometown as the 2007 Penn State grad plied her professional trade with FFC Frankfurt for the better part of four years before her latest stint with the United States senior team. Along with Krieger, Nittany Lion head coach Erica Walsh is serving as Pia Sundhage's assistant with the team. Walsh and Sundhage teamed up for the 2008 Olympics when the Americans took home gold.
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--NITTANY LIONS--