Fifteen-year-old Olivia Moultrie scored her first professional goal on a free-kick and the Portland Thorns went on to defeat the Houston Dash 3-1 in a penalty shootout in the Women’s International Champions Cup on Wednesday.
Moultrie, who turned professional at 13, filed a lawsuit against the National Women’s Soccer League in May asserting that she should be able to play despite a rule prohibiting players under 18.
A judge granted an injunction allowing her to play in June, and she settled with the league.
Photo: AFP
She became the youngest player to appear in a league match when she debuted on July 3.
Moultrie’s goal came in the 57th minute and tied the match.
“I’m just so glad it went in, because all I cared about was winning the game, and for us moving on to the next match — and that’s what we did,” Moultrie said. “So I couldn’t be more happy.”
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