New Zeeland defender Meikayla Moore put a hat-trick of own-goals past her keeper in the first 36 minutes of the match against USWNT. She was then substituted before half-time.
Moore first netted at the wrong end in the fifth minute, then scored again for an unwanted brace seconds later. She finished off her hat-trick of own goals in the 36th minute, then was subbed off. The U.S. team went on to win the friendly match 5-0 after goals from Ashley Hatch and Mallory Pugh in the second half.
It was surely Meikayla Moore’s worst day as a football player, but the New Zeeland defender received support from her colleagues and coaches, as well as her opponents.
“First and foremost we all have to understand this is a game and own goal is a part of the game,” USWNT coach Vlatko Andonovski said after the game. “It just happens. It’s unfortunate that it happened to the same player, but she is an incredible defender and I actually thought her positioning was very good. It was just unlucky. Sometimes the ball is just not going to bounce your way,” the coach added.
The Americans will continue their run in the friendly SheBelieves Cup with a match against Iceland on Wednesday.