Topics

More

Alyssa Naeher, Ali Krieger Crowned World Champions After USWNT Beats Netherlands 2-0 In Women’s World Cup Final

Alyssa Naeher and Ali Krieger are world champions again.

Both Penn State women’s soccer alumnae on the United States Women’s National Team featured in the final match of the 2019 Women’s World Cup, which ended in a 2-0 victory for the Americans. Naeher made her seventh start and kept her fourth clean sheet of the World Cup, and Ali Krieger made her third appearance of the competition at right back.

Despite facing off against a potent Dutch attack, Naeher wasn’t all that busy in the final. She didn’t make a save until the 77th minute, but she came up with a huge clearance in the 26th minute that prevented the Dutch from getting a 1-on-1 look at goal. The Penn Stater came off her line to kick the ball away from danger as Lineth Beerensteyn ran towards goal to get on the end of Vivianne Miedema’s through ball.

Naeher’s first and only save of the match came after Beerensteyn cut towards goal in front of Krieger. The Dutch forward fired a powerful shot on goal, but the goalkeeper easily collected it and stopped the attack. Naeher was also tested by a Sherida Spitse free kick with 10 minutes to play, but it bent just wide of the target and went out of play for a goal kick.

Meanwhile, Ali Krieger checked into the match as a substitute at the start of the second half. Starting right back Kelley O’Hara picked up a knock after a hard collision with a Dutch player, which opened the door for Krieger to make her third appearance of this year’s World Cup. The former Penn State defender put in a professional, steady performance, which is exactly what head coach Jill Ellis was looking for after O’Hara’s injury.

Like most cup finals, Sunday’s match didn’t get off to the most lively start as both sides felt each other out and settled into the contest. The USWNT won a free kick in the 10th minute after Spitse was booked for a hard foul on Rose Lavelle, but Tobin Heath’s delivery was easily dispatched by the Dutch defense.

The first 27 minutes of the match passed without a shot by either side before Julie Ertz finally put the ball on the Dutch goal. Netherlands goalkeeper Sari van Veenendal parried Ertz’s volley from inside the box away from danger. That was one of van Veenendal’s four saves in the first half, which ended in a 0-0 deadlock.

VAR granted the USWNT a penalty in the 60th minute after Dutch defender Stefanie van der Gragt fouled Alex Morgan with a high boot, and captain Megan Rapinoe made no mistake with the ensuing spot kick and gave her side a 1-0 lead. Rose Lavelle put the game away with a tidy finish after an excellent solo run right through the heart of Holland’s defense in the 70th minute.

Naeher and Krieger each picked up their second World Cup winners’ medal on Sunday afternoon in Lyon. Both players were named to the USWNT’s 23-player squad for the 2015 World Cup, which ended with a 5-2 American victory over Japan in the final. Krieger was the first-choice right back for the Americans, and Naeher was Hope Solo’s backup goalkeeper throughout the 2015 tournament.

Your ad blocker is on.

Please choose an option below.

Sign up for our e-mail newsletter:
OR
Support quality journalism:
Purchase a Subscription!

About the Author

Mikey Mandarino

In the most upsetting turn of events, Mikey graduated from Penn State with a digital & print journalism degree in the spring of 2020. He covered Penn State football and served as an editor for Onward State from 2018 until his graduation. Mikey is from Bedminster, New Jersey, so naturally, he spends lots of time yelling about all the best things his home state has to offer. Mikey also loves to play golf, but he sucks at it because golf is really hard. If you, for some reason, feel compelled to see what Mikey has to say on the internet, follow him on Twitter @Mikey_Mandarino. You can also get in touch with Mikey via his big-boy email address: [email protected]

How The (Cael’s) Cookie Crumbles: Cooper Cazares’ Senior Column 

“You can control what you can control, and sometimes the ending isn’t one of those things.”

Bubba’s Eggs, Steaks, & Shakes Closes After Six Months In Business

The historic 1947 Silk City Diner will once again become vacant.

Penn State Women’s Lacrosse To Face Stanford In First Round Of NCAA Tournament

Stanford finished as the ACC runners-up and the game is set for 6 p.m. on Friday.

113kFollowers
69kFollowers
4,570Subscribers
Sign up for our Newsletter
Other posts by Mikey

What About The Class Of 2020?

On the heels of concrete plans for the Class of 2021, last year’s seniors still feel hung out to dry.

Dive In: Mikey Mandarino’s Senior Column

Penn State Hockey’s Peyton Jones Signs Two-Year Contract With AHL’s Colorado Eagles