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Bridgeport Native Soars To Victory In FIFA Women's World Cup Soccer

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — A Bridgeport native is part of the team from the U.S. that won a record third title in the FIFA Women's World Cup Championship with a 5-2 victory over Japan on Sunday evening in Vancouver.  

Alyssa Naeher is a goalkeeper for the U.S. women's soccer team.

Alyssa Naeher is a goalkeeper for the U.S. women's soccer team.

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

Alyssa Naeher, 27, is the backup goalkeeper, behind Hope Solo, on the 23-member U.S. roster. Naeher was born in Bridgeport on April 20, 1988, along with her twin sister, Amanda. 

Carli Lloyd scored the first three goals and Lauren Holiday one goal for the U.S. in the first 16 minutes of the championship game. Japan added two goals before Tobin Heath scored the fifth and final goal for the U.S. team.

The victory was sweet for the U.S. team, which lost to Japan in the 2011 FIFA final.

Naeher attended Christian Heritage School, where she was a standout in soccer and was a three-time All-State and three-time FAA All-Conference selection. In addition, she was a Parade All-American and two-time NSCAA Youth All-American. 

She was the starting goalkeeper for the Penn State women's soccer team from 2006-09.

Naeher was selected by the Boston Breakers as the 11th overall pick (first round) in the 2010 Women's Professional Soccer draft. 

In 2008, Naeher was the starting goalkeeper for the U-20 squad that won the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Chile, starting and playing in all but one game during the tournament. She gave up only one goal throughout the competition -- to North Korea, during the final minutes of the final game.

 

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