USC forward Simone Jackson scored in the 17th minute as the U.S. opened play in the CONCACAF Women’s U-20 Championship with a 6-0 victory over Nicaragua Friday in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Jackson put a shot from 17 yards out into the upper left corner of the net to increase the U.S. lead to 3-0. Emily Mason was credited with the assist.
The U.S. opened the scoring in the second minute when Olivia Moultrie put in the rebound of a shot by Michelle Cooper. Cooper scored in the seventh minute.
Andrea Kitahata scored in the 50th and 64th minutes, with Ayo Oke assisting on the second goal. Aidan McConnell put in the rebound of a shot by Talia Dellaperuta in the 87th minute.
The U.S. out-shot the Nicaraguans 32-0 and led 11-0 in shots on goal in the Group A game at Estadio OlÃmpico Félix Sánchez.
The victory improved the U.S. record in its 11 appearances in the tournament to 45-2-4, outscoring its opponents 305-18.
The top three finishers in the 20-team tournament qualify for the 2022 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, which will be played in August in Costa Rica.
The 20-player U.S. roster includes two other players with ties to the Los Angeles area. Forward Alyssa Thompson, a junior at Harvard-Westlake School, playing the first 73 minutes. UCLA defender Lilly Reale was in uniform but did not play.
Players born on or after Jan. 1, 2002, are eligible for the tournament. The U.S. team consists of nine players born in 2002, nine in 2003, one in 2004 and one born in 2005, Moultrie, its lone professional.
Jackson had five goals and eight assists in 20 games as a USC freshman in 2021 after being a standout at Bishop Montgomery High in Torrance.