Junior Football Ferns make winning start to USA tour

The New Zealand U-20 women’s football team have begun their tour of USA on a winning note defeating senior club team LA strikers 3-2 in Los Angeles today.

Stephanie Skilton netted the winner for the Junior Football Ferns. www.photosport.co.nz

May 16, 2012

AUCKLAND – The New Zealand U-20 women’s football team have begun their tour of USA on a winning note, defeating senior club team LA strikers 3-2 in Los Angeles today.

The Strikers, who play in the second tier of American women’s football, took a sixth minute lead but Liv Chance struck a left foot shot from 20 metres out to level the scores in the 19th minute and then earned a penalty 10 minutes later, which Kate Loye converted to give the Junior Football Ferns a 2-1 halftime lead.

The lead lasted just four minute into the second half but substitute Stephanie Skilton stabbed home a winner, at the second attempt, with 18 minutes remaining.

The Junior Football Ferns are using two matches against club sides – they meet Pali Blues on Friday (NZT) – to build towards Sunday’s U-20 international against the USA which in turn is a benchmark for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Japan in August.

“It’s always pleasing to win,” said New Zealand coach Aaron McFarland, “but the focus for these first two games was playing our way under pressure from good opposition.”

“The players responded really well. They showed that they want to play, they want to get on the ball and be positive.

“Pali Blues beat LA 2-0 the other day and have some classy players. They play a different style so they’ll provide us with a different challenge. They’ll be a step up but it’ll be a good next step for this team.”

LA Strikers 2 (6’, 49’)
New Zealand U-20 3 (Olivia CHANCE 19’, Kate LOYE pen-29’, Stephanie SKILTON 72’)
Halftime: 1-2

New Zealand: Erin NAYLER (GK), Holly PATTERSON (Stephanie SKILTON 50’), Caitlin SMALLFIELD, Rebekah STOTT, Ashleigh WARD (Rachel HEAD 81’), Kate LOYE (Nadia PEARL 46’), Emily COOPER, Katie BOWEN (Captain), Olivia CHANCE, Hannah WILKINSON (Mary FRASER 70’), Evie MILLYNN (Katie ROOD 50’).
Substitutes not used: Corina BROWN (RGK), Tessa BERGER, Tayla O'BRIEN.
Coach: Aaron MCFARLAND

Junior Football Ferns Schedule
17 May 
New Zealand U-20 v Pali Blues
Home Depot Centre, Los Angeles
5pm (12pm May 18 NZT)

19 May 
New Zealand U-20 v USA U-20
Home Depot Centre, Los Angeles
3pm (10am May 20 NZT)