Wisconsin Soccer Central

Shannon Smyth (Mequon/Milwaukee DSHA) and the Republic of Ireland continued their strong start to UEFA Women's World Cup qualifying Wednesday.

Smyth played the full 90 minutes as Ireland blanked host Slovenia 3-0 in Velenje to close out their schedule for the calendar year.

The Irish (2-0-1) have allowed just one goal in qualifying and stand second in Group 1 behind perennial powerhouse Germany (3-0-0). Coincidentally, Ireland's next qualifier is a top-of-the-table clash at home against the Germans on April 5.

Smyth earned her 25th international cap in the win over Slovenia, which featured goals by Fiona O'Sullivan, Aine O'Gorman and Denise O'Sullivan in the opening 46 minutes.

It's a quick turnaround for Smyth, as she returns to Norway to try to help Amazon Grimstad secure its spot in the Toppserien for 2014 and avoid a relegation playoff.

Amazon Grimstad (3-12-6) is 11th in the 12-team league, three points behind 10th-place Klepp but with a better goal differential. Those teams meet in a season finale Saturday, with the winner staying up and the loser facing the second-place team from the 1. Division in a playoff to stay in the top tier. Klepp would finish 10th if the match is a tie.

On Twitter: @ShannonSmyth

• FC Kansas City's Lauren Sesselmann (Green Bay Notre Dame) played the full 90 minutes at center back as Canada blanked visiting South Korea 3-0 in a friendly in Edmonton. Sesselmann, who claimed her 35th cap, was booked for a foul in the 86th minute. The Canadian team now heads into a residency camp that includes a friendly against Mexico on Nov. 24 in Vancouver. On Twitter: @lsesselmann