University of Tennessee Athletics
RHIAN WILKINSON BECOMES SECOND LADY VOL TO EARN INTERNATIONAL CAP
April 28, 2003 | Soccer
April 28, 2003
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Junior Rhian Wilkinson (Baie d'Urfe, Quebec) registered another significant achievement for the Lady Vol soccer team on Saturday when she participated with the Canadian National Team in a friendly against the United States National Team at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. The forward, a first-team All-Central Region and first-team Southeastern Conference selection last fall, saw 23 minutes of action to earn the distinction of being the second Tennessee player to compete on the highest level of international competition. Kendyl Michner (1997-99) represented the Mexican National Team at the 1999 Women's World Cup.
"Saturday was an exciting day, as our program is gaining more experience and exposure," said Head Coach Angela Kelly. "Rhian was playing in front of 5,000 people and a worldwide audience watching on ESPN2. This was her first cap for her country and there's no better team to start her international career than against the U.S. She was able to play 23 minutes, where I felt she represented herself well. I am very proud of Rhian and look forward to an outstanding senior season for her."
Although the U.S. went down a goal early, it rolled through Wilkinson's young Canadian team, scoring six consecutive times for a 6-1 triumph. Shannon MacMillan scored four of those goals, including the final three of the match, while Kristine Lilly and Julie Foudy added a goal apiece. Lilly, a college roommate of Kelly's at the University of North Carolina, registered her 250th career cap for the U.S., extending her world record for international appearances among both men and women.
The hat trick for MacMillan was the third of her career, and it was her first four-goal outing, enabling her to join Michelle Akers, Brandi Chastain, Mia Hamm and Tiffeny Milbrett as the only players to score at least four goals in one match.
Canada was forced to field a young team after hastily coming together to replace original opponent Nigeria. It came out with a highly defensive 5-4-1 formation with striker Christine Latham left to go it alone against the U.S. back line. The Canadian contingent hung in the match early, but the experienced U.S. team was too tough, scoring three times in each half.
Wilkinson ranked second in Southeastern Conference matches in 2002 with 14 points on five goals and four assists. After being tabbed as the SEC's Freshman of the Year in 2000, when she was picked for the second team, the forward earned first-team recognition in her second full season. With 31 points on eight goals and a school-record 15 assists, she also equaled Kim Patrick's (Pleasanton, Calif.) standard for points in a single season by a Lady Vol junior.
The sharp-shooting Canadian also achieved All-SEC Tournament accolades as the Lady Vols edged six-time defending champion Florida in double overtime, 2-1, to claim their first championship. She has now accumulated 69 points on 22 goals and 25 helpers, pulling her closer to Laura Lauter Smith's chart-topping 75 points.
In UT's first-ever NCAA victory, a 5-0 blanking of Furman, Wilkinson set up her club's first two scores. Tennessee finished a program-best 18-6-1 in '02 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Women's College Cup for the first time. The Orange was rewarded for its finest season by being included in the Top 10 of the final polls released by the National Soccer Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas and Soccer Buzz Magazine.
U.S. WOMEN'S NATIONAL TEAM GAME REPORT
Participants: U.S. Women's National Team vs. Canada
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: RFK Stadium - Washington, D.C.
Date: April 26, 2003; Kickoff - Noon ET
Attendance: 5,693
Weather: Rain, cold; 52 degrees
1 2 FUnited States 3 3 6Canada 1 0 1
CAN - Christine Sinclair (Melanie Booth) 7th minuteUSA - Shannon MacMillan (Unassisted) 16USA - Kristine Lilly (Unassisted) 33USA - Julie Foudy (Joy Fawcett) 41USA - Shannon MacMillan (Aly Wagner) 55USA - Shannon MacMillan (Aly Wagner) 78USA - Shannon MacMillan (Kristine Lilly) 79
Lineups:
USA: 1-Briana Scurry; 4-Cat Reddick, 14-Joy Fawcett (17-Danielle Slaton, 46), 6-Brandi Chastain, 15-Kate Sobrero; 11-Julie Foudy (Capt.; 19-Angela Hucles, 46), 13-Kristine Lilly, 8-Shannon MacMillan, 10-Aly Wagner; 12-Cindy Parlow, 9-Mia Hamm (23-Heather O'Reilly, 63).
Subs not used: 3-Christie Pearce, 5-Tiffany Roberts, 16-Tiffeny Milbrett, 18-Siri Mullinix.
CAN: 1-Erin McLeod; 15-Kara Lang, 3-Melanie Booth, 4-Sasha Andrews, 8-Clare Rustad; 5-Andrea Neil (Capt.), 14-Carmelina Moscado (7-Rhian Wilkinson, 68), 16-Brittany Timko, 13-Diana Matheson; 2-Christine Latham (9-Amber Allen, 58), 12-Christine Sinclair.
Subs not used: 11-Ashley McGhee, 22-Taryn Swiatek.
Statistical Summary: USA/CAN
Shots: 20/5
Saves: 0/10
Corner Kicks: 8/3
Fouls: 7/9
Offside: 6/1
Misconduct Summary:
CAN - Melanie Booth (caution) 45th minute
Officials:
Referee: Sandra Hunt (USA)
Asst. Referee: George Vergera (USA)
Asst. Referee: Rob Fereday (USA)
4th Official: Rachel Woo (USA)
