The United States Women’s National Team defeated Australia 3-0 on Friday, with a squad of fresh faces representing the U.S. in front of a record crowd of 36,109 in Sydney.
With an average age of 26-years-old, the starting lineup was the USWNT’s youngest since April 2018.
Goalkeeper Casey Murphy earned her first start and first cap, while Bethany Balcer, Morgan Weaver and Ashley Sanchez all subbed on for their international debuts.
The USWNT didn’t waste much time getting on the scoresheet, with Hatch scoring just 24 seconds into the match for her first international goal. Running onto a pass headed forward by Lynn Williams, Hatch bodied down the ball to slot through a finish from close range to go up 1-0.
.@ash_hatch33 wastes no time whatsoever
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) November 27, 2021
1-0, USA 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/eQ3g8uAiH1
The U.S. kept the scoreline at 1-0 throughout the first half, with Murphy making several crucial saves to deny Australian star Sam Kerr.
.@CaseyMurph looking like a vet in her first cap 🧤 pic.twitter.com/2A6NIopzy5
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) November 27, 2021
Rose Lavelle added her name to the scoresheet in the 49th minute, getting on the end of a pass from Margaret Purce, who beat her defender down the flank to send a well-placed ball into the box to double the USWNT’s lead.
#USWNT goal No. 18 for @roselavelle#USWNT assist No. 1 for @100Purcent.
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) November 27, 2021
2-0, USA 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/alXmiYHpfD
The team’s last goal came in the 68th minute, with Lindsey Horan converting a penalty kick from the spot to clinch the 3-0 win. The game was Horan’s first wearing the No. 10 jersey, which was passed down to her from a retiring Carli Lloyd.
.@LindseyHoran's 25th #USWNT goal, and first as No. 10 ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/bBtE8CVCVQ
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) November 27, 2021
Next up: The USWNT will play the Matildas again in Newcastle, airing Tuesday at 4:05 a.m. ET on ESPN.