Aug. 20, 2012
HIROSHIMA, Japan - The U.S. Under-20 Women's National Team opened play at the 2012 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup with a 4-0 victory against Ghana at the Hiroshima Big Arch Stadium, as Penn State junior Maya Hayes scored three goals in the second half to propel the red, white and blue. Hayes now increases her international goal total to 15.
After the U.S. benefited from an own goal in the first half to take the early lead, Hayes scored goals in the 50th minute, 74th minute and extra time to give the United States a 4-0 victory. The M.A.C. Hermann Trophy finalist in 2011 is just the 10th U.S. player to score a hat trick in all FIFA World Cup at all levels. \ Next up for the USA is a Group D match against China PR at 5:50 a.m. ET on Thursday, Aug. 23. The match will be broadcasted live on ESPNU and ESPN3. Penn State junior Taylor Schram (Canonsburg, Pa.) is also on the team with Hayes.
Hayes and Schram are one of a total of 21 players that were selected to the 2012 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup team. Hayes and Schram are expected to return to the Penn State program no later than Sept. 16 as the Nittany Lions host Wisconsin.
Penn State hosts defending national champion and No. 1 Stanford this Friday, Aug. 24 for a 7:30 kick time, which will be aired live on the Big Ten Network.
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