2017 Copa Liga MX Femenil Final - Pachuca 9, Tijuana 1: Highlights and box score

It was a historic day for women’s soccer in Mexico, as Pachuca was crowned the first ever Copa Liga MX Femenil champions, defeating Tijuana 9-1 at the Estadio de la FMF in Toluca.

Pachuca wasted no time in getting the scoring started when Berenice Muñoz getting free on a break just two minutes in.

Minutes later, Yamile Franco would convert the penalty awarded and Pachuca would be up 2-0 just six minutes in.

In the seventeenth minute, Tijuana left Diana García all alone in the center of the box, and she did not miss from close range.

In the 20th minute, a great through ball sprung Berenice Muñoz who was off to the races. Her shot beat Isela Parra and Pachuca was up 4-0.

Just before the half, Inglis Hernández would give Tijuana a bit of a lifeline when she was able to clean up a rebound off of a Fabiola Ibarra shot that was saved by Miriam Aguirre.

After the half it was more of the same for Pachuca. Mónica Ocampo hit a screamer of a free kick into the top of the net just after the second half resumed.

Ocampo would net another just five minutes later when she got free in the box and forced Parra to commit to the low shot. As soon as Parra went down, Ocampo chipped her to make it 6-1.

Yamile Franco would get her second off of a great move and shot that just beat Parra.

Berenice Muñoz got her hat trick in the 50th minute when she drove down the left side. Isela Parra came way too far out and Muñoz shot. Verónica Pérez did what she could to stop it, but the ball rolled in over her to make it 8-1.

Lizbeth Ángeles would get one more for Pachuca before the match ended off of a great half-volley.

The match would end 9-1 for Pachuca,however it was a great day for women’s soccer in Mexico. All of the women on all of the teams are the future of the sport in Mexico. Some older players are coming back to do the important work of building a strong league in their home country. Some of the younger players will go on to play in the United States, be it with teams in the NWSL or (especially in the case of some of the youngest players) in colleges and universities in the United States.

All of this is good, as the better the team becomes, the bigger the profile women’s soccer will have in a country where fútbol is life for so many. This will also benefit players in the United States, as they’ll be forced to contend with better competition from their southern neighbors. A rising tide lifts all boats, and the tide in Mexico is just starting to come in.

Pachuca: Miriam Aguirre; Nataly Cárdenas (Lizbeth Pérez, 60’), Natalia Melgoza, Diana Monroy (Karla Zempoalteca, 52’); Karla Nieto, Jaquelin García (Fátima Arellano, 46’), Michelle González (Karen Gómez, 46’); Yamile Franco; Mónica Ocampo, Diana García (Lizbeth Ángeles, 41’), Berenice Muñoz (Joselyn De La Rosa, 52’)

Tijuana: Isela Parra; Nubia Ayala, Ana Lara, Verónica Pérez; Ericka Soto (Paulina Chaidez, 34’), Esmerelda Verdugo, Yazmin Guzman (Kenya Castañeda, 64’), Christian Jaramillo, Karla Pérez (Patricia Gutiérrez, 34’); Fabiola Ibarra, Inglis Hernández

Scoring: Pachuca - Berenice Muñoz (2’, 20’, 50’), Yamile Franco (6’, 43’), Diana García (17’), Mónica Ocampo (36’ ,41’), Lizbeth Ángeles (65’); Xolos - Inglis Hernández (34’)

Disciplinary: Tigres - None; Xolos - None