After falling to reigning gold medalist USA 2-0 in its Olympic opener last Wednesday in Rio de Janeiro, the New Zealand women’s national soccer team faced a must-win scenario Saturday against Colombia.
Led by Palisadian Ali Riley, the Football Ferns prevailed 1-0 to keep alive their hopes of advancing to the knockout phase. Riley, who grew up in the Alphabet Streets and was a multi-sport star at St. Matthew’s, plays left back for New Zealand, which ended group play Tuesday facing France.
Photo: NZ Soccer
The 28-year-old Riley is playing in her third Olympics for the Football Ferns, having also participated in the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing and the 2012 Summer Games in London.
Two other local athletes are competing in Rio: swimmer Jordan Wilimovsky in the 1,500 prelims and finals Friday-Saturday and the open-water 10K next Tuesday; and equestrienne Lucy Davis in the individual and team jumping events Sunday.
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