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FRISCO, Texas -- Crystal Dunn scored five goals to spark the United States to a 10-0 victory over Puerto Rico and secure the Group A crown in the 2016 CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Championship (CWOQ) at Toyota Stadium on Monday night.
The 23-year-old, who doubled her international goal total to 10, was named player of the match, becoming the seventh American to record five goals in a game.
Carli Lloyd, Kelley O'Hara, Christen Press and Samantha Mewis also tallied for the U.S., which was aided by an own-goal.
The defending world champion will head to Houston for Friday’s semifinals with a perfect 3W-0D-0L record. A win in that match will clinch it a berth in the 2016 Olympic Games.
Puerto Rico finished its first CWOQ competition at 0W-0D-3L.
The U.S. rested virtually all of its regular starters except for Ali Krieger, Lloyd and Dunn, while Mallory Pugh got her first-ever start in the competition. The 17-year-old rewarded the decision by playing important roles in the first two goals. Her left-wing pass found Dunn, who turned and ripped a right-footed, 14-yard shot past goalkeeper Karly Gustafson into the lower right corner in the sixth minute.
Pugh was taken down by Selimar Pagan in the box in the 13th minute as referee Crystal Sobers (Trinidad & Tobago) pointed to the spot. Lloyd converted the penalty for her 11th career CWOQ goal.
Dunn took advantage of some poor clearance attempts to fire home another 14-yard strike, this time off her left foot for a 3-0 margin in the 21st minute.
O'Hara notched her second international goal with a flick from four yards off a right-wing feed by Stephanie McCaffrey in the 45th minute.
The Americans scored three times within a two-minute span in the second half.
A Pugh cross deflected off Puerto Rico's Ashley Rivera for an own-goal in the 60th minute, Dunn blasted in a 22-yard shot in the 61st minute and Press found the net with an effort from distance in the 62nd minute.
Dunn closed out the night striking in the 86th and 87th minutes and Mewis added one in stoppage time.
CWOQ: United States vs. Puerto Rico
United States vs. Puerto Rico, February 15, 2016 (Photos: Mexsport)
United States vs. Puerto Rico, February 15, 2016 (Photos: Mexsport)
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