The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Soccer’s Julia Grosso hits decisive PK as Canada wins gold at Tokyo Olympics
08.06.2021 | Soccer
The Vancouver, British Columbia, native sealed the victory in the sixth round of the penalty shootout
AUSTIN, Texas – Stepping up to the spot in the sixth round of the decisive gold medal shootout on Friday at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics with a chance to earn her squad an historic first Olympic gold medal, Texas senior midfielder Julia Grosso calmly drilled her penalty off the arm of diving goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl and into the roof of the net to complete a thrilling, 1-1 (3-2 on PK's) triumph over Sweden.
The two teams were tied after regulation at 1-1, following goals by Sweden's Stina Blackstenius (34') and Canada's Jessie Fleming (67' PK). Having entered the match as a sub right after halftime, Grosso helped hold down the midfield throughout all of the second half and both extra-time sessions.
Canada grabbed an early advantage in the penalty shootout as Fleming converted her team's opening PK. Sweden battled back to lead 2-1 and had a chance to win gold on its fifth attempt only for Caroline Seger to sky her spot kick over the bar. After Deanne Rose dead-locked things at 2-2, on a blast into the top right corner, Canada keeper Stephanie Labbe made a huge save to set up Grosso's walk-off heroics.
During Canada's historic run in Tokyo, Grosso earned five caps against Great Britain, Chile, Brazil, the United States and Sweden.
In the process, the Vancouver, British Columbia, native and veteran of 29 national team caps became the first soccer Olympian in Texas history and now owns the first medal of any type for the Longhorns soccer program.
Grosso will next return to Austin to venture into her senior season with the Longhorns. The United Soccer Coaches All-American and 2021 Preseason All-Big 12 selection enters the new campaign with 15 career goals and 12 career assists over 42 career matches. During the split 2020-21 season, Grosso led the Burnt Orange & White with five goals and four assists for 14 total points.