LI soccer star scores twice in debut as US women's U-17 team stages largest World Cup win ever
Long Island soccer star Loradana Paletta scored twice for the U. U-17 women's national team in a history-making 17-0 win over Samoa in the U-17 Women's World Cup.
The victory was the largest ever seen at a FIFA World Cup at any level and saw 10 different players, including the 15-year-old soccer phenom, score for the United States in the win. Y., native and New York City FC academy squad member, scored in the 25th and 37th minutes of the match and had three assists before she was subbed out in the 73rd minute of the blowout.
Her first goal came after an attempted cross from the side of the net was deflected by Samoa goalkeeper Susahna Peacock, and Paletta corralled the loose ball before firing it into the net to give the U. Paletta's second goal of the match saw her take a pass before weaving into the center of the penalty area and shooting the ball by a diving Peacock.
The teen has been a rising soccer star in the New York area and wasfeatured by The Postlast summer. At the time, she said she "really" wanted to make the U-17 World Cup before going on to share her loftier goals of playing for the senior national team at the World Cup.
"It's always been a dream when I was little - being on the national team," Paletta told The Post last July. She had been called up in March for the U-17 Women's World Cup qualifiers.
Loradana Paletta of the USA celebrates scoring her team's fifth goal during the FIFA U17 Women's World Cup Group E match between the USA and Samoa at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat, Morocco, Monday, Oct. Maddie DiMaria scored a record-breaking six goals for the U.
in Monday's win, making her the holder of the most goals ever by a U. women's team player in any match.
She also scored the most goals by any player in a single match at any U-17 Women's World Cup. DiMaria's goal in the second minute opened up the floodgates for the Americans' big night on the pitch.
"We're really happy with the result," U. coach Ciara Crinionsaid to FIFA's website.