New Zealand’s Moore hat-trick of own goals, US cruise to victory

INA – SOURCES
 
New Zealand defender Meikayla Moore scored three goals - for the US women’s national team – as the Americans won 5-0 on Sunday in the second round of matches in the SheBelieves Cup.
 
The US, who drew with the Czech Republic 0-0 in their tournament opener, got all the help they needed thanks to Moore’s own goals in the fifth, sixth and 36th minutes.
 
The US took over from there. Ashley Hatch made it 4-0 in the 51st with a header that was set-up by Sofia Huerta, and Mallory Pugh scored in the third minute of second-half stoppage time.
 
Moore’s nightmare started early when she tried to stop a cross from Sophia Smith but instead redirected the ball into her own net. A minute later, Catarina Macario’s header was going wide until it glanced off Moore’s head. 
 
Her unenviable hat-trick was completed after Margaret Purce’s cross from the right wing. Moore stuck out her foot to clear the ball, but again it went horribly wrong. She was substituted four minutes later.
 
The 25-year-old is an experienced player and has 48 caps for New Zealand. She signed for Liverpool in 2020.