U17 Women Win CONCACAF

Placed in Group C of U17 Women's World Cup

July 28, 2008

Tani Costa scored twice for the U.S., with Massachusetts native Kristen Mewis and Courtney Verloo each scoring once.

With the championship, the U.S. will be placed into Group C at the 2008 FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup, which will be held from Oct. 28-Nov. 16 in New Zealand, along with France, Japan and Paraguay.

“When we got together as a team some months ago, we basically all agreed that our first goal was to get to the World Cup and our second goal was to win the CONCACAF region, this tournament,” said coach Kazbek Tambi. “Now we’re going to set some new goals when we get back home to lead into the World Cup.”

The U.S. wasted no time scoring, putting home a goal in the first minute. Midfielder Erika Tymrak beat a defender down the right flank and raced to the touchline. She cut the ball back, sending it to the near post where Costa and Verloo were lurking. Costa got a foot on it, knocking into the back of the net.

Just six minutes later, Costa scored again, this time on a pass from Olivia Klei.

Kristen Mewis – a native of Hanson, Mass. – scored another goal for the U.S. in the 32nd minute, collecting a long ball from Amber Brooks. Kristen Mewis shrugged off her defender and carried the ball into the area, facing Tapia alone in front of the goal. She held her ground as Tapia came out to cut down the angle, coolly slotting the ball to Tapia’s left side and into the net.

Samantha Mewis came on as a sub for her sister, Kristen Mewis in the 36th minute as Kristen was suffering from some pain in her chest. She was treated on the sideline and was cleared by the medical staff shortly after.

The final U.S. goal came just before the end of the first half, as Brooks sent a long ball over the Costa Rican defense to Verloo in the 44th minute, who was completely unmarked. She also took on Tapia and finished the chance just to the right of Tapia’s feet.

“It’s been an awesome experience,” said Verloo, who was named captain and earned Women of the Match honors. “The whole team has worked really hard and we’ve set a lot of goals and we’re really excited to have achieved those. It’s a great feeling.”

The U.S. finished the tournament undefeated, outscoring their opponents, 29-2, and posting three shutouts. The team becomes the first in history to win a CONCACAF championship at this age level for women, as it is the first time that a CONCACAF championship and a FIFA World Cup are sanctioned at this level on the women’s side.

U.S. UNDER-17 WOMEN'S NATIONAL TEAM GAME REPORT

Scoring Summary:
USA – Tani Costa (Courtney Verloo) 1st minute.
USA – Tani Costa (Olivia Klei) 7th
USA – Kristen Mewis (unassisted) 32nd
USA – Courtney Verloo (Amber Brooks) 44th
CRC – Katherine Alvarado (unassisted) 72nd

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