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GJOVIK, Norway - California’s Laura Schott scored the opening goal and forward Abby Wambach contributed two goals for the U.S. Under-21 Women’s National Team in a totally one-sided affair to record a 3-0 victory Wednesday over an out-gunned Iceland team in the opening game of the 2001 Nordic Cup Championships.  

The Americans out-shot the gritty Icelanders 31-1 for the match and could have racked up several more goals if not for some poor U.S. finishing and some great goalkeeping from Thora Helgadottir, who plays her college soccer at Duke University.  

Iceland played a highly defensive 5-4-1 formation, but the Americans laid waste to the bunker tactics early, with Schott scoring in just the 7th minute. The goal was created by U.S. captain Cat Reddick after she intercepted a pass in the midfield and took off on a slashing run through the entire Iceland team. She got to the end line on the left side of the goal and played a cross on the ground to the far post for Schott, who slid and pounded her shot into the net from a sharp angle, five yards outside the post and just two yards from the edge of the field.  

The USA made it 2-0 in the 31st minute on a beautiful goal that started in midfield as Schott and Lori Lindsey played a quick wall-pass to carve through several Iceland defenders. Lindsey then played a brilliant weak-side pass to Katie Barnes on the right flank. Barnes ran the ball down and took her time before chipping a perfect cross to the far post where Wambach slotted a header into the net from inside the six-yard box.  

The USA added its third goal just three minutes into the second half after Devvyn Hawkins played a throw-in to Wambach deep in the left corner. She posted up her defender and then rolled inside, making some space for her shot before absolutely scorching the ball into the upper left corner from 12 yards out. The ball ricocheted off the crossbar on its way into the net, giving Helgadottir no chance.  

In the other Group A match, Germany defeated Denmark 3-0 and sites atop the group tied with the U.S. In the Group B matches, Finland upset Sweden, 2-1 and Norway tied and up-and-coming Canadian team, 1-1, after University of Portland-bound Christine Sinclair tied the game in the 87th minute. The USA will face Denmark in its next Group A match on Friday. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. local/10 a.m. PST.