National secondary schools girls’ team on way home after Texas tournament

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The New Zealand Secondary Schools U-19 girls’ team have ended their week-long trip to the United States with a 5-0 friendly win against an Arizona rep side.

Scorers for New Zealand were Olivia McDonald (3), Olivia Erskine and Penny Brill.

The team took part in the Dallas International Cup tournament but did not make the knockout stages after finishing bottom of a tightly-contested group.

New Zealand beat BVB International Academy (Texas) but lost games to Solar Soccer Club (Texas) and Florida Rush Soccer Club (Florida).

Thirty-two teams participated in the U-19 section of the tournament, including sides from the United States, Canada, Mexico and Denmark.

The New Zealand squad was coached by NZSS Girls’ head coach Alana Gunn, coach of Canterbury United Pride’s national title-winning team, and assistant coach Annalie Longo, a 124-cap Football Fern.

In the lead-up to the tournament, New Zealand played two warm-up games against Houston Dash.

New Zealand won 1-0 in the first game, thanks to a penalty by McDonald, but lost the second match 3-1. Erskine scored for the tourists.

Main photo: The NZSS U-19 girls’ squad. Photo credit: NZSS Facebook page.

Results

Game played Thursday April 6, 2023

New Zealand 1 (Olivia McDonald)
Florida Rush 2

Game played on Friday April 7, 2023

BVB International Academy 0
New Zealand 1

Game played on Saturday April 8, 2023

New Zealand 0
Solar SC 1

Group standings

Squad

Brooke Assur (Wellington East Girls’ College)
Denva Perrott (Lincoln High School)
Dorothy Yek (Papanui High School)
Holly Roberts (Baradene College of the Sacred Heart)
Katherine Fulton (Epsom Girls’ Grammar School)
Katie Brugh (Baradene College of the Sacred Heart)
Kyra Morgan (Wellington Girls’ College)
Lara Smith (Wellington Girls’ College)
Lily Davies (Wellington East Girls’ College)
Maddie Iro (Christchurch Girls’ High School)
Olivia Erskine (Diocesan School for Girls)
Olivia McDonald (St Peter’s School, Cambridge)
Penny Brill (Baradene College of the Sacred Heart)
Riley Sheldon (Rangitoto College)
Saffron Millar (Mt Aspiring College)
Sophia Johnston (Epsom Girls’ Grammar School)
Xanthe Jane (Rangiora High School)
Zara Erol-Watt (Spotswood College)

Coaching staff

Head coach: Alana Gunn
Assistant coach: Annalie Longo
Manager: Heather Hepburn
Physio: Mike McCorkindale

Boys teams touring Malaysia and Singapore

Two boys’ teams — representing U-19 and U-16 age groups — are currently touring Malaysia and Singapore, playing four games  during an 11-day itinerary.

READ MORE: Two squads chosen to represent NZ Secondary Schools on April overseas tour >>>>

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