UW-Green Bay's Ricketts nets hat trick in international U-20 contest
June 7, 2007
KINGSTON, Ontario - UW-Green Bay men's soccer standout Tosaint Ricketts had an action-packed summer evening Wednesday, as the junior-to-be scored three goals against the United States on the way to a 4-0 win for Canada in the Hyundai men's U-20 tour presented by Yahoo! Canada.
"It's always good to score," said Ricketts after the match. "That's my job, especially as the lone striker."
Ricketts broke the contest open in the second minute, as his individual effort broke through the back line of the U.S. defense and beat goalkeeper Diego Restrepo. After a goal by teammate Jonathan Beaulier-Borgault in the 19th minute, Ricketts gave Canada a 3-0 edge in the 29th minute after out-muscling a pair of U.S. defenders.
Canada's final tally from Ricketts came in the 65th minute to complete the three-goal effort. Ricketts became just the sixth youth player to score a hat trick for Canada, the first since July 7, 1991. Ricketts moves into first place amongst active youth players with five career goals in just four games.
The win avenged a 4-1 loss to the Americans in Ottawa June 3. Of note, Ricketts was named the Canadian "Man of the Match" in both contests against the United States.
The final game for Canada in the Hyundai men's U-20 tour presented by Yahoo! Canada is set for Monday, June 18. Ricketts and the Canucks will take on the Czech Republic at Commonwealth Stadium in front of Ricketts' hometown crowd in Edmonton.
The exhibition games lead up to the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup, hosted by Canada June 30-July 22.
For recaps of the contest, visit:http://www.canadasoccer.com/eng/media/viewArtical.asp?Press_ID=2724http://www.ussoccer.com/articles/viewArticle.jsp_720900.html
