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By Eric Anderson
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Saturday, September 17, 2011 10:13 PM |
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 Lauren Sesselmann (Green Bay Notre Dame) had a chance to be the hero in her international debut.
The Atlanta Beat defender played the full 90 minutes at left back for Canada on Saturday night in Kansas City, Kan., but it ended on a frustrating note as she fired a shot over U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo and the goal as the teams settled for a 1-1 draw in a friendly at Livestrong Sporting Park. (Video highlights below)
In the 90th minute, Sophie Schmidt forced a turnover and got it to Chelsea Stewart – another American-born member of the Canadian team – who broke in on the right side of the box. She then squared it to Sesselmann, who was all alone about 8 yards out on the left side of the box, but her first-time shot sailed over the crossbar.
Defender Diamond Simpson, an 18-year-old University of Wisconsin recruit, was an unused sub for the Canadians, who were playing their first match under coach John Herdman. There was another Wisconsin tie to the match, as Oak Creek's Margaret Domka was the referee.
The U.S. and Canada will meet again on Thursday in Portland, Ore. Kickoff is set for 10 p.m. on ESPN2.
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Amazon Grimstad's Shannon Smyth (Mequon/Milwaukee DSHA) started and went 78 minutes as the Republic of Ireland opened UEFA Euro 2013 qualifying with a 2-0 victory over Wales on Saturday in Newport, Wales. It was the fourth cap for Smyth with Ireland, which continues qualifying Thursday by playing host to Women's World Cup semifinalist France in Cork.
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