Junior USWNT Tops Mexico to Start Junior Pan American Games

It was Alaina McVeigh again who found USA's second goal, firing a shot from the top in the 5th minute off a pass from Madison Beach. In the 13th minute, Gia Whalen earned USA's second penalty corner chance, but the shot was blocked. It took several more set pieces for the Junior Eagles to find their third goal, which came when Louisville senior Izzy Bianco finished on post off an initial shot from McVeigh.

Lauren Masters got on the board in the 21st minute, putting the ball away on a scramble in front of the goal and giving USA a 4-0 lead. Two minutes later at the 23-minute mark, Mexico had their first circle entry.

Just a minute later USA was back on attack, as two consecutive penalty corner chance's were blocked by Mexico's defense. Finally, USA broke through when Talia Schneck scored, as the red, white and blue went up 5-0.

Less than a minute later, goalkeeper Alyssa Klebasko was called to make her first save in goal, just before the halftime whistle.

Mexico picked up their speed in the third quarter, keeping the USA attack quiet and forcing the defensive line to step up. There were solid plays from the likes of Milaw Clause and Macy Szukics to keep Mexico out. In the 49th minute, Ella Beach tallied her first goal with a lifted shot into the cage. Talia Schneck picked up a second at in the 56th minute when she redirected a penalty corner shot from Ava Moore to make it 7-0.

Another goal came shortly after and sealed USA's 8-0 victory when Ava Moore nailed a beautiful backhand shot.

Key Moments:

• 3' USA earns first penalty corner which leads to a penalty stroke goal by Alaina McVeigh
• 5’ Alaina McVeigh fired in a shot from the top of the circle (2-0)
• 13’ Gia Whalen earned a second penalty corner for USA, the shot was blocked
• 13’ Two more penalty corner chances for USA, both were stopped
• 14' Izzy Bianco finished on the post off a penalty corner shot from Alaina McVeigh (3-0)
• 21' Lauren Masters scored
• 23' Mexico had their first circle entry
• 24' Two successive USA penalty corner opportunities were blocked by Mexico's defense
• 27' Alaina McVeigh shoots but Mexico's defender made a defensive save. USA earned a penalty corner which was scored by Talia Schneck (5-0)
• 28' Alyssa Klebasko was called to make her first save of the game
• 49' Ella Beach sent a lifted ball into the cage
• 56' Talia Schneck scored with an assist from Ava Moore on a penalty corner
• 58' Ava Moore nailed a backhand shot (8-0)

Noteworthy:

• The Junior USWNT has defeated Mexico in all three meetings
• Ten USA athletes received their first junior outdoor international cap: Ella Beach, Madison Beach, Sofia Ferri, Lauren Masters, Olivia McKenna, Alaina McVeigh, Talia Schenck, Macy Szukics, Gia Whalen, Rylie Wollerton
• This is the first international tournament for the Junior USWNT with Ange Bradley and Manuel García Nieto at the helm

Next Up: The Junior USWNT will play No. 14 Chile in their second 2025 Junior Pan American Games pool game on Wednesday, August 13 at 10:30 a.m. ET. All games can be streamed on the PanAm Sports Channel.

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