Lavelle earns first cap with the US National Team in SheBelieves Cup

HARRISON, N.J. – Former Wisconsin soccer standout, Rose Lavelle, had quite the debut for the US National Team as she earned her first cap against England in the second game of the SheBelieves Cup on Saturday. She became the first player to earn a first cap in 2017 and the 14th player to earn a first cap from Ellis.

2017 #SheBelievesCup. Round 2. Let's get it.

Introducing your Starting XI for #USAvENG.

Lineup notes: https://t.co/9YqJQjyQ2p pic.twitter.com/gQsaJ2jnjL
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@ussoccer_wnt) March 4, 2017

No. 1 overall pick in the @NWSL draft in January. First #USWNT cap in March.

Congrats, @roselavelle!

More: https://t.co/9YqJQjyQ2p pic.twitter.com/eTiWGIX1zs
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@ussoccer_wnt) March 4, 2017

Although the United States lost in heartbreaking fashion after England found the back of the net in the 89th minute to take the 1-0 win, Lavelle made a statement in her first international game, being named the Woman of the Match and proving that she can play with some of the biggest talent in the world. The midfielder's first standout moment of the match came when England's Lucy Bronze and Jordan Nobbs double-teamed Lavelle, but the Boston Breaker was easily able to fend off both as she sent the ball through Bronze's legs to produce a textbook nutmeg and advance the ball further down the pitch.

Rose Lavelle: good at soccer. pic.twitter.com/xbyo0Qp5cO
— Caitlin Murray (@caitlinmurr) March 4, 2017

The moment before the meg. #USAvENG

??: ISI Photos pic.twitter.com/zB1zwdekge
— BostonBreakers (@BostonBreakers) March 4, 2017

Yes we are excited about Rose! #USAvENG
— BostonBreakers (@BostonBreakers) March 4, 2017

I'm very familiar to the feeling #4 pic.twitter.com/Bs0vqyc4DN
— Payton Wesley (@PaytonWesley713) March 4, 2017

Another highlight of Lavelle's came when she nearly knocked in her first professional goal in the 19th minute that would have given the US the advantage early on in the game.

The #USWNT attack is coming in waves! @RoseLavelle came this close to putting ???? on the board first.#USAvENG, 0-0, 24'. Watch live on FOX. pic.twitter.com/BZ0EjgiwKC
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@ussoccer_wnt) March 4, 2017

Lavelle's teammate, Crystal Dunn, managed to get the ball inside England's penalty box and right before the ball crossed the end line, Dunn executed a perfect cross to Lavelle who was positioned right outside the goal box. After a bounce, Lavelle shot the ball off like a rocket towards the left post, but England's goalkeeper, Siobhan Chamberlain, tipped the ball off of her fingertips to deny the goal.

Final: #USAvENG ends 1-0 in favor of England. Well done @roselavelle on your debut. ?? pic.twitter.com/Dl56v5nGIX
— BostonBreakers (@BostonBreakers) March 5, 2017