U.S. Under-17s, Heaberlin’s World Cup hopes dashed

Posted Mar 19, 2010 by Nick Murray

Updated Mar 19, 2010 at 02:15 PM

Berkeley Prep goalkeeper Bryane Heaberlin and her U.S. Soccer Under-17 teammates’ hopes of playing in this fall’s FIFA Women’s Under-17 World Cup were dashed on Thursday night. Canada defeated the U.S., 5-3, in a penalty shootout after the two sides had played to a 0-0 draw after regulation and overtime.

With the tournament that begins in September being hosted by Costa Rica only two spots were available through CONCACAF qualifying, and when Canada’s Chantal Campbell scored in the fifth round of the shootout it sent her side through to Sunday’s final and into the World Cup.

Heaberlin had played strongly in the 120 minutes of play to earn U.S. player of the match honors. She made an early diving stop on Nour Ghoneim’s shot from just outside the penalty area before shortly after coming sharply off her line to deny the Canadian forward another opportunity. Heaberlin also saved well from Haillie Price after a givaway in the U.S. end, tipping Price’s shot onto the crossbar before gathering in the rebound.

Heaberlin almost made a stop in the shootout as well, getting a piece of Yazmin Ongtengco’s shot only the see the ball spin into the net. Clarissa Wedemeyer fired over the crossbar for the U.S. on the next shot, giving Canada tha advantage it would need to move on.