Mallory Pugh becomes youngest American to score, helps U.S. women’s soccer advance
Mallory Pugh scored a crucial goal to help the United States women’s soccer team win their group at the Olympics on Tuesday.
Pugh, who graduated from Mountain Vista in May, corralled a cross on the right side of the box, took a touch toward the center, and then used her left foot to score. It gave the U.S. a 2-1 lead against Columbia in the 59th minute:
#USA's Mallory Pugh nets a beautiful goal in the 59th minute, but #COL strikes late to tie. https://t.co/DRqlVhmMg2 https://t.co/j3V2nnDzYC
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 10, 2016
Pugh is now the youngest American to ever score in the Olympics.
Columbia went on to tie the game in the 90th minute, but the United States still secured its spot atop Group G with seven total points. The Americans advance to the knockout stages, starting with the quarterfinals on Friday.
Another former Colorado high school soccer player — Valor Christian grad Janine Beckie — will be in the quarterfinals, too.
Beckie, a star for Canada, helped her team win Group F. Beckie didn’t play in Canada’s 2-1 win over Germany, but had three goals in the first two games.
Pugh was the national high school soccer player of the year as a junior, and then did not play as a senior following a call-up to the women’s national team. But she was part of Mountain Vista’s team in the spring, attending games and practices.
In July, Pugh became the second-youngest player to ever be named to the U.S. Olympic Team.
