Ex-Cal Player Helps New Zealand Pull Off World Cup Upset

Former Cal standout Betsy Hassett was in the starting lineup for the New Zealand squad that upset Norway 1-0 in the opening game of the Women’s World Cup on Thursday.

The game, which was a Group A contest played in Auckland, New Zealand, drew a crowd of 42,137, the largest ever to see a soccer game in New Zealand. The game started just after midnight Thursday California time.

It was the first World Cup win ever for the New Zealand squad, which features two former Cal players: Hassett and Daisy Cleverly. Cleverly did not get into the game, but Hassett was in the starting 11 for New Zealand as a midfielder and played a significant role. Norway also has a player on its roster who played at Cal – Guro Bergsvand, but she did not get into the game.

Hannah Wilkinson scored in the 48th minute to give the host squad the stunning upset. But Hassett contributed. Eleven minutes into the game Hassett took a through ball and launched a shot on goal but it was blocked. Six minutes later she nearly had a scoring opportunity in the box, but was unable to gain control. Later, in the second half, Hassett led a forward run, but it did not produce a shot on goal.

The game began after a moment of silence to remember the two people who died and five others injured, including a police officer, in a shooting in Auckland early Thursday morning.

The gunman was killed, and the incident was not considered a security risk for the World Cup competition.

The U.S. team begins World Cup play with a match against Vietnam starting a 6 p.m. Pacific time.

Cover photo of Betsy Hassett by Jack Gruber, USA TODAY Sports

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