Women's World Cup: USA Through to the Last Eight
du Nord, September 19, 2007
USA 1-0 NigeriaReport from du Nord reader AdamGroup Stage Match 3:The US women’s soccer team scored the second fastest goal in Women’s World Cup history and finally bucked the trend of slow starts that plagued them in their first two matches. With only 54 seconds gone, Lori Chalupny scored the game’s only goal, securing first place for the US in the “group of death.” The play began with a signature Cat Whitehill long throw deep in Nigeria’s defensive end. Abby Wambach headed the ball into the middle of the Nigerian penalty box to an onrushing Chalupny, who took the ball off her chest and hit a one time shot that deflected off Nigerian defender Ulumma Jerome and into the net.Both teams had to endure the driving rain from Typhoon Wipha as it approached Shanghai. It was the US, though, who had more scoring opportunities on the night. Kristine Lilly sent a free kick narrowly over the Nigerian crossbar in each half. Wambach also had two good looks at goal. She shot her first opportunity wide, while the second att