Palos Verdes Peninsula High Alum Olympic Hope Ends After U.S. Women Soccer Team Loses to Sweden

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL — A former Palos Verdes Peninsula High School standout's Olympic hopes were dashed Friday as the U.S. Women Soccer team fell to Sweden, 5-4, in penalty shootouts.

The three-time defending gold medalist made an unexpected early exit from the competition after goalie Hope Solo failed to block a shot from Lisa Dahlkvist in overtime. And just like that, the reigning Olympic champs were sent packing.

Sweden was considered to be an easy match for the U.S. women's team, but that was not to be the case. Sweden took a 1-0 lead at the 61st-minute mark and the U.S. answered at the 75th-minute mark, but at the end of regulation play, they were tied at 1-1, leading into overtime.

This was former Peninsula High School standout Whitney Engen first Olympics. She was among 14 players on the Olympic team who were members of the U.S. team that won the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.

The U.S has won a record 12 consecutive games in Olympic play, with its last loss coming to Norway to open the 2008 Olympics. This is the first time in Olympic history that the U.S. has not reached the Gold Medal Match of the women’s soccer tournament.

— Photo courtesy of Team USA