The United States beat New Zealand 5-0 in the SheBelieves Cup in Carson, California, on Sunday afternoon thanks in large part to three own goals from New Zealand defender Meikayla Moore.
The U.S. was up two inside of six minutes following a pair of own goals from Moore, who redirected a cross into her own net and then saw a header from Margaret Purce go in after bouncing off Moore’s head.
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Vlatko Andonovski’s side continued to pile on the pressure as the half wore on and went three up with yet another own goal from Moore, who was substituted shortly after for Rebekah Stott to end a brutal afternoon for the defender.
The U.S. finally scored a goal of its own shortly before the hour mark of the second half when Ashley Hatch headed past New Zealand keeper Erin Nayler from an inch-perfect cross by Sofia Huerta.
Substitute Mallory Pugh added to the final scoreline in second-half stoppage time, breaking in behind the New Zealand defense and slotting the ball past Nayler with a pinpoint finish to make it 5-0.
The result will be a relief to the U.S. after a disappointing 0-0 draw against the Czech Republic in its SheBelieves Cup opener on Thursday night. The Americans’ final match of the tournament will come against Iceland on Feb. 23.
The U.S., which has not allowed a goal on home soil in nearly two years since a 3-1 win over Japan in the final match of the 2020 SheBelieves Cup, now leads the standings with four points from two games. Iceland, who plays the Czech Republic later on Sunday, is in second with three points.