LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Emma Sears didn’t just score a hat trick Wednesday night.

She sent a message, to her teammates, her country, and maybe even to her sport.

The Racing Louisville forward, already the top American scorer in the NWSL, added three more to her growing international résumé in the U.S. Women’s National Team’s 6-0 win over New Zealand in Kansas City.

“I've heard from some of the more experienced players on this team that in international games, you only get a few opportunities each game to really show what you're great at," Sears told TNT after the final whistle. "Making the most of those opportunities is super important.”

She did that just eight minutes into the match with her first score, off a pass from Michelle Cooper. Her third came on a rebound she buried without

See Full Page