COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Texas A&M Soccer standout Jimena López played a key role in helping the Mexico Under-20 Women's National Team advance past Canada in semifinal action at the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association of Football (CONCACAF) U-20 Women's Championship Friday evening in Couva, Trinidad & Tobago. Mexico prevailed in a penalty kick shootout, 4-3, after the squads played to a 1-1 draw through 120 minutes.
Mexico advances to Sunday's championship match at 3:00 p.m. Central to face the United States. The contest may be viewed live on CONCACAF.com and Univision. El Tri also secured a bid to the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, slated for August 5-24 in the Brittany region of France.
López notched Mexico's lone goal in the 34th minute when she sent a crafty free kick through the back line and to the left of a diving netminder from 20 yards out right of the penalty arc. The Aggie freshman was also successful in her shootout attempt. Her fourth round goal evened the shootout at 3-3. After Mexico's keeper Emily Alvarado Natividad saved a shot from Canada's Jordyn Huitema in the fifth round, Venicia Juárez Smith sent El Tri into a celebration with her clincher.
Through four matches at the tournament, López had played 365 of 390 minutes for Mexico, tallying one goal and one assist.
López had a banner 2017 as a freshman with the Aggies. The defender started 20 matches for the Maroon & White, including 10 starts. She racked up seven points on three goals and one assist. López was named the SEC Freshman of the Week after scoring twice in the opening weekend while playing a part in an Aggie defense that recorded back-to-back-shutouts.