PHUKET, Thailand - While the University of Portland soccer team prepares for the 2004 NCAA Tournament beginning this weekend, three Pilot soccer players made their mark internationally helping the U.S. Under-19 Women’s National Team to a 3-0 win over South Korea in the first match of the FIFA U-19 Women’s World Championship.

Portland sophomores Angie Woznuk and Stephanie Lopez, as well as freshman Megan Rapinoe all redshirted the 2004 collegiate season because of their national team commitments. All three players started and had significant contributions in the opening match victory as Woznuk scored a penalty kick goal after Rapinoe was taken down in the box to open the scoring. Rapinoe then assisted on the USA’s second strike, while Lopez helped the defense blank a talented South Korean squad.

The first U.S. goal was created in the 14th minute as Sheree Gray slipped a perfect pass to the cutting Megan Rapinoe on the right side of the penalty box. Rapinoe, faced with two closing defenders, cut back sharply to the inside and was chopped down. Greek referee Antonia Kokotou did not hesitate, pointing to the penalty spot. Woznuk stepped up to take the kick and coolly slotted her shot into the left corner on stroke of 15 minutes.

Rapinoe then assisted on Amy Rodriguez’s goal in the 17th minute and Sheree Gray capped the scoring with a 72nd minute strike.

Woznuk and Lopez played the full 90 minutes, while Rapinoe was subbed off in the 85th minute with a comfortable 3-0 lead.

The USA will play its second Group C match against Russia on Sunday, Nov. 14, back at Sarakul Stadium (Kickoff 5 p.m. local / 5 a.m. ET). In the other Group C match, Russia upset Spain, 3-1, in an entertaining end-to-end match as Ekaterina Sochneva scored the winning goal directly off a corner kick in the 36th minute.