Frisco, TX (Sports Network) - Alex Morgan scored twice in the final minutes to
cap a 2-1 comeback win for the U.S. women's national team against New Zealand
in a friendly on Saturday.
The Americans dominated play in the first half but were kept out by some good
goalkeeping from New Zealand's Jenny Bindon.
And New Zealand took a surprising lead against the run of play in the 49th
minute when Kelley O'Hara's poor backpass was intercepted by Hannah Wilkinson,
who lobbed her shot over the head of goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart after she
entered the match at halftime in place of Hope Solo.
The U.S. went back on the attack, but after being frustrated for almost 88
minutes, finally found the breakthrough when Megan Rapinoe's cross was met by
the head of Morgan at the back post, who sent the ball into the net off the
woodwork.
Shannon Boxx nearly scored right after as she nodded the ball off the
crossbar, but there was still time for another opportunity, and Morgan made
the most of it three minutes into added time.
Abby Wambach flicked a ball into the path of Morgan and she made no mistake
with a header from eight yards that sailed past Bindon to cap a furious late
rally.
The next match for the U.S. women comes Feb. 29 in the Algarve Cup against
Denmark.
The Sports Network