In one of the most thrilling sporting events we have seen in recent years, the U.S. Women’s World Cup Team capped an amazing comeback to beat Brazil in penalty kicks last night.
And four of the women on the roster right now are from our area.
The local star is Carli Lloyd from Delran, N.J. She was the second shooter for the U.S. in the penalty kicks on Sunday. She powerfully netted her chance to put the U.S. up 2-1.
People are comparing this team to the 1999 Women's team, which won the World Cup in a penalty shootout after a scoreless match. That game against China still holds the record for the most -attended women's sporting event in history. Here's what Carli thinks about all that buzz:
Lloyd played soccer for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and eventually made her first U.S. National Team appearance in July of 2005.
In an interview with keeper, Hope Solo, Lloyd acknowledged how badly this team wants a championship, saying, “There hasn’t been a World Cup won since ’99. For me personally I’m kind of going in there with a little chip on my shoulder. I want to prove to everyone that we can do it.”
Nicole Barnhart of Gilbertsville, Jill Loyden from Vineland, N.J. and Christie Rampone from Point Pleasant are also on the roster. Rampone was a member of the famous 1999 Woman’s Team. She is the only mom on the team. Christie, who is also the team captain, has two little girls.
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Barnhart and Loyden are both goaltenders who hold spots behind Solo.
The United States Woman’s Team will take on France in the semi finals on Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. The game will be played in Monchengladbach Germany.
