Rose Lavelle Bags a Brace and Assist in USWNT's 5-0 Win

The U.S. Women’s National Team faced off against New Zealand in the second of two friendly matches between the teams this month. Earning, its second consecutive win, the team recorded a firm 5-0 win against the Football Ferns, in front of another record-breaking crowd.

Four OL Reign players appeared in the match, led by midfielder Rose Lavelle, who not only captained the squad, but scored two goals and notched one assist in her 90-minute shift. Defenders Alana Cook and Sofia Huerta started the match and played all 90 minutes, with the latter recording an assist, and newly acquired defender Emily Sonnett subbed into the match to contribute a solid 45 minutes.

Similar to the USWNT’s first match against New Zealand, the team worked to control possession of the match immediately and found success, claiming 73% of possession in the first half. In contrast to the previous game, the United States found the opening goal of the match just 22 minutes in, when forward Trinity Rodman played forward Ashley Hatch past New Zealand’s defense. Hatch found the corner of the goal with her one-touch shot to take the lead.

Two OL Reign players connected 17 minutes later to double the lead for the United States. Huerta served a ball into the box from the right and Lavelle was there to volley it into the back of the net to put the United States up 2-0 going into halftime.

After the break, the U.S. came out re-energized and continued to press New Zealand. In the 53rd minute, forward Mallory Swanson connected with Rodman’s rebounded shot to notch the first goal of the half.

Just nine minutes later, Lavelle added another. Forward Lynn Williams sent a cross into the box, setting up another volley for Lavelle to finish from five yards out. Up 4-0, it was only six minutes later that the U.S. scored its final goal of the match. Midfielder Taylor Korinek headed home a corner kick, served into the box by Lavelle.