Wisconsin Soccer Central

Shannon Smyth (Mequon/Milwaukee DSHA) and the Republic of Ireland women's national team had a great start to the Cyprus Cup.

Smyth scored the first goal of her international career as Ireland thumped Northern Ireland 5-1 in a Group C opener Wednesday in Paralimni.

Ireland raced out to 2-0 lead after 26 minutes, then after Northern Ireland pulled one back in the 58th, poured in three goals in the final 20 minutes to turn the game into a rout. Smyth's goal in the 76th minute gave Ireland a 4-1 lead.

The 25-year-old Smyth, who plays for Norwegian club Amazon Grimstad, earned her 19th cap in the match – she has dual citizenship because her father is Irish. Ireland next faces South Africa on Friday in Paralimni; South Africa lost to South Korea 2-0 in its group opener.

• Defender Lauren Sesselmann (Green Bay Notre Dame) wasn't involved as Canada beat Switzerland 2-0 in its Group B opener in Larnaca. Former University of Wisconsin assistant coach Carmelina Moscato played the full 90 minutes on the backline for Canada, which plays Finland on Friday in Nicosia.