Bay Area Native Achieves Historic Milestone for Philippines in Women’s World Cup

Bay Area native Sarina Bolden made history Tuesday when she scored the Philippines’ first-ever goal at a FIFA World Cup.

The historic moment happened in the 24th minute of her team’s match against New Zealand. The 27-year-old found her way to the middle of the box to receive a cross from teammate Sara Eggesvik. Bolden leaped above the two grounded defenders beside her and headed a shot directly at New Zealand keeper Victoria Esson, who couldn’t make the save and bobbled the ball back into the net.

Seemingly the entire Filipina squad immediately rushed to the sideline to celebrate with the substitutes, and the supporters in the crowd erupted in jubilation.

Bolden’s goal would go on to be the winner, as the Philippines beat New Zealand, 1-0, for another historic achievement: the team’s first World Cup win.

The history-making has been a bit of a trend for the Philippines as of late, as its qualification for the Women’s World Cup in January 2022 was the first time any Filipino team had made the quadrennial international soccer tournament. The men’s side has yet to qualify for a World Cup, and its lone major tournament appearance was the 2019 Asian Cup, where the team lost all three group-stage matches.

Bolden herself is no stranger to history either, as her winning penalty in the shootout against Chinese Taipei was the goal that sent the Philippines to New Zealand.

Bolden was born in Santa Clara and has been part of the Philippines’ national team since 2018 — she qualified for the team through her mother, Sherry. She plays for a club in Australia but spent 2021 playing in the Bay Area for the San Francisco Nighthawks.