SAITAMA, Japan – Penn State juniors Maya Hayes (West Orange, N.J.) and Taylor Schram (Canonsburg, Pa.) advanced to the U-20 World Cup Semifinals with Team USA, earning a 2-1 victory over Korea on Friday (Aug. 31) morning in the quarterfinals.
Chioma Ubogagu scored the game-winning goal in the 98th minute to lead the USA to its fifth semifinal appearance in a FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. U.S. midfielder Vanessa DiBernardo contributed a goal in the second half.
The USA victory sets up a semifinal meeting against Nigeria – which defeated the USA on penalty kicks in the quarterfinals of the 2010 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. The match will be broadcast live on ESPNU and ESPN3 on Tuesday, Sept. 4, with coverage starting at 2:50 a.m. ET.
Hayes was coming off a three-goal effort against Ghana in early group play. Hayes netted all three of her goals in the second half to propel the red, white and blue. With one goal against China, Hayes increased her international goal total to 16. Hayes and Schram are expected to return to the Penn State program no later than Sept. 16 as the Nittany Lions host Wisconsin.
Penn State takes on West Virginia at 7 p.m. Friday in Morgantown.
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