Forward scores fourth career hat trick

SAN JOSE, CALIF. – Back in her home state and just 20 miles from where she attended college at Stanford University, Christen Press lit up the score sheet in the United States 8-1 win over Romania.

In the eighth minute of play, Tobin Heath lofted a ball into the box that would ultimately end up at the feet of Press. Dominate in the final third, Press drove it first time with her left foot from 16 yards out to notch the first goal of the game. (WATCH)

Before the closing of the first half, Press added an assist and completed her hat trick with two goals within three minutes. (WATCH)

Press has now scored in three consecutive matches for the U.S. Women’s National Team, bringing her total to 11 goals this year and 40 goals in her career. Her scoring performance allowed her to once again reach double figures for the third-consecutive year, becoming only the fifth player in WNT history to do so, backing Mia Hamm, Abby Wambach, Tiffany Milbrett and Carli Lloyd.

Meanwhile, defending in the backline was Casey Short. Short earned her third-consecutive cap since her first call-up during the October camp and is the only player on the WNT to have played every minute of the past three matches. Julie Johnston officially made her return in the second half after being subbed in for Becky Sauerbrunn.

The U.S. Women’s National Team moves to 21-0-3 this year and will finish its 2016 run in Carson, California at the StubHub Center on Sunday, November 13, against Romania. Tickets are still available here and will air live on Fox Sports 1.