Around the W-League: Betos tallies assist and shutout for Sydney FC
Michelle Betos added assisting on goals to her resume last week as she sent a punt the length of the field on the game-winning goal to Jasmyne Spencer in the 68th minute of a 1-0 win over Adelaide United on Nov. 27. In addition, Betos also kept her second clean sheet in her last three games as Sydney FC moved into a tie for third place in the W-League standings.
Match Report
Up Next: Round 2 of the Sydney Derby on Saturday, Dec. 5, against the Western Sydney Wanderers.
Angerer Honored, England and Germany play to scoreless draw
In an international friendly, Germany and England squared off for the first time since meeting in the bronze medal match at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup on Nov. 26 in Germany. Neither team was able to get on the scoreboard in a scoreless draw as Jodie Taylor started and played 75 minutes in the match.
Match Report
In addition, Nadine Angerer, Thorns FC's new goalkeeper coach, was honored for her brilliant career prior to the match along with Celia Sasic who also announced her retirement.
England followed that performance up with a 1-0 win over Bosnia & Herzegovina on Sunday in EURO 2017 qualifiers. Taylor did not feature in the match, but Thorns FC head coach Mark Parsons was in attendance.
Australia edges Korea Republic in international friendly
The Matildas were in action on Sunday squaring off against Korea Republic in an international friendly. Steph Catley started and played 90 minutes, helping Australia claim a 1-0 shutout win. Defender Clare Polkinghorne was on the bench but did not appear in the match.
Match Report
Final Four set for Women’s College Cup in Cary
Interactive Bracket
The Final Four field is set as Penn State, Duke, Florida State and Rutgers head to Cary,N.C. at WakeMed Soccer Stadium. The semifinal rounds take place on Friday and the final is set for Sunday. All three matches will be broadcast live on ESPNU.
READ:5 Things You Need to Know For The College Cup
The first semifinal includes a pair of Big Ten teams as red-hot Penn State takes on upset-minded Rutgers. Rutgers knocked off one of the tournament favorites and the nation’s No. 1 team Virginia in the quarterfinal round, advancing by virtue of a penalty-kick shootout. In improbable fashion as Rutgers fell behind 2-0 early in the shootout thanks to an impressive performance by Virginia goalkeeper Jessie Ferrari who subbed into the game just for the shootout. But it was Rutgers goalkeeper Casey Murphy who topped Ferrari’s efforts in Adam Kwarasey-like fashion converting and then saving a PK before saving another PK in the ninth round. Penn State earned an impressive 2-0 win against West Virginia to secure a berth in the College Cup. The two teams square off at 2 p.m. (Pacific) on ESPNU.
On the other side of the bracket, Duke continued its impressive late season run, knocking off No. 2 seed Florida and then knocking off No. 1 seed Stanford in a shootout to earn a spot in the Final Four. The Blue Devils will take on defending National Champion Florida State. The Seminoles ended Texas A&M’s Cinderella run with a 5-0 win in the quarterfinals. In addition, Florida State set a new NCAA record in their last win and now have an 855 minute shutout streak in NCAA Tournament play. This match is set to kick off at approximately 4:30 p.m. (Pacific) on ESPNU.
The winners meet on Sunday in the National Championship match; kickoff is set for 9 a.m. (Pacific) on ESPNU.
Upcoming International Matches
United States
vs. Trinidad & Tobago – Dec. 6
vs. Trinidad & Tobago – Dec. 10
vs. China – Dec. 13
vs. China – Dec. 16
Canada
vs. Mexico – Dec. 9
vs. Croatia – Dec. 13
vs. Brazil – Dec. 16
