Rose Lavelle, who starred for Cincinnati United Premier and Mount Notre Dame High School, scored her first-ever goal in the Olympics – and Team USA’s first of the Tokyo Olympics – during a match Saturday against New Zealand at Saitama Stadium.
Lavelle’s goal gave the U.S. a 1-0 lead in the 10th minute. Lindsey Horan scored in the 45th minute to make it a 2-0 lead just before halftime. Lavelle was replaced by Sam Mewis in the 68th minute.
Last month, Lavelle, 26, shook off the rust of a lengthy layoff and starred in the Washington Spirit’s 2-1 win against the Chicago Red Stars in the NWSL Challenge Cup.
In May, Lavelle left Manchester City of the Women’s Soccer League and returned to the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) to play for OL Reign, which acquired her rights in a trade with the Washington Spirit last year.
Lavelle scored the only goal in USWNT’s 1-0 win against Canada in a SheBelieves Cup soccer match in Orlando.
Lavelle was in New York City for a ticker-tape parade last year to celebrate USWNT’s FIFA Women’s World Cup title when she tweeted that video of Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden hippo Fiona reminded Lavelle of her own halftime hydration routine.
Lavelle scored the team’s second goal during USWNT’s win in the final against the Netherlands, earning the Bronze Ball – given to the tournament’s third-most outstanding player.
