The New Zealand under-20 women's football team have begun their tour of USA on a winning note, defeating senior club team LA Strikers 3-2 in Los Angeles today.
The Strikers, who play in the second tier of American women's football, took a sixth minute lead but Liv Chance struck a left foot shot from 20 metres to level the scores in the 19th minute and then earned a penalty 10 minutes later, which Kate Loye converted to give the Junior Football Ferns a 2-1 halftime lead.
The lead lasted just four minute into the second half but substitute Stephanie Skilton stabbed home a winner, at the second attempt, with 18 minutes remaining.
The Junior Football Ferns are using two matches against club sides - they meet Pali Blues on Friday (NZT) - to build towards Sunday's under-20 international against the USA which in turn is a benchmark for the Fifa under-20 women's World Cup in Japan in August.
New Zealand under-20 3 (Olivia Chance 19', Kate Loye pen-29', Stephanie Skilton 72') LA Strikers 2
