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Gibbons, Payne Help U.S. Squad to Istria Cup Title
UMAG, Croatia – The Duke University tandem of Christina Gibbons and Toni Payne helped guide the U.S. Under-23 Women’s National Team to the championship at the Istria Cup in Croatia. The squad totaled a 2-1 record over the championship.
In Monday’s final match, the U.S. defeated the France National “B” Team, 2-0, as Gibbons scored one of the two goals. The U.S. U-23s had beaten the full Slovenia women’s national team, 3-0, on March 2 and tied the Poland U-19 team on March 4 to compile seven points and win the eight-team competition.
Gibbons sealed the match against France in the 78th minute after Samantha Witteman beat her defender down the right side, drew the goalkeeper to the near post and passed back to Gibbons for an easy tap in with her left foot. The goal for Gibbons was the third U-23 international score for the Duke junior.
Both Gibbons and Payne started the first and third matches for the U.S. U-23 squad. Eleven of the players on the roster are current members of the NWSL, which begins on April 16.
#GoDuke
In Monday’s final match, the U.S. defeated the France National “B” Team, 2-0, as Gibbons scored one of the two goals. The U.S. U-23s had beaten the full Slovenia women’s national team, 3-0, on March 2 and tied the Poland U-19 team on March 4 to compile seven points and win the eight-team competition.
Gibbons sealed the match against France in the 78th minute after Samantha Witteman beat her defender down the right side, drew the goalkeeper to the near post and passed back to Gibbons for an easy tap in with her left foot. The goal for Gibbons was the third U-23 international score for the Duke junior.
Both Gibbons and Payne started the first and third matches for the U.S. U-23 squad. Eleven of the players on the roster are current members of the NWSL, which begins on April 16.
#GoDuke
