CARSON, Calif. — Meikayla Moore put a resounding end to the U.S. women’s national soccer team’s scoring drought Sunday with a first-half hat trick.
In a bizarre and gut-wrenching scene, Moore was responsible for three own goals by the 36th minute during the top-ranked Americans’ 5-0 victory in their second game at the SheBelieves Cup.
An own goal is not uncommon. Two by one player in the same game is extremely rare. Three by one player in an international match is Halley’s comet.
Before intermission arrived, Coach Jitka Klimkova removed Moore from the match. When she came to the sideline, the teary-eyed player rested her head on the shoulder of her coach, who consoled her for an extended time.