10/26/2024 6:35:00 PM | Soccer
Padelski earned her first tournament start in the quarterfinals
SANTIAGO DE LOS CABALLEROS, Dominican Republic. –– Alabama soccer’s Madeline Padelski and the United States Under-17 World Cup team advanced to the semifinals after securing a 2-0 victory over Nigeria on Saturday. The victory marked just the second time the United States reached the U-17 World Cup semifinals and first time since the inaugural tournament in 2008. The United States will play the winner of North Korea and Poland on Oct. 30 in the semifinals.
Padelski earned her first start in the tournament, playing 65 minutes in the quarterfinal match to help secure a spot in the top four.
Earlier in the tournament, Padelski scored a goal to help the U.S. reach the knock out stage. She netted the final goal of the match, dribbling down the left side of the field before cutting the ball around a defender and onto her right foot. She fired a shot from the top of the box to secure the fifth goal of the match in the 87th minute.
In addition to its 2-0 win over Nigeria in the quarterfinals, the United States defeated Korea Republic, 5-0, and Colombia, 2-0, and lost to Spain, 3-1. The U.S. finished second in Group B to earn a spot in the knockout round.
