Santa Clara-born Sarina Bolden sends Philippines to 1st ever win in Women's World Cup

Sarina Bolden (2nd L) of Philippines celebrates with teammates after scoring her team's first goal during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group A match between New Zealand and Philippines at Wellington Regional Stadium on July 25, 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand.Hagen Hopkins - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Sarina Bolden rose above two defenders and headed the ball toward the goal. New Zealand keeper Victoria Esson bobbled and fumbled it as it crossed the goal line.

Bolden pumped her fist as she sprinted to the sideline to celebrate with her teammates after scoring the first-ever goal at the Women's World Cup for the Philippines, one that also made her team the first of 2023 edition's eight newcomers to claim a win. It was 1-0, but that's all the Filipinas needed to beat the Football Ferns.

"I'll remember this moment forever, for the rest of my life," Bolden said after the match. "I'm so happy to be a part of it," The 27-year-old forward didn't have a straightforward path to representing the Philippines. Born in Santa Clara, Bolden spent her early sporting years playing for American academies.

Bolden joined the Philippines national team in 2018 while she was playing for Loyola Marymount. She would go on to sign her first professional club contract in 2019 with Sandvikens IF in Sweden. After departing Sweden, she spent time playing for teams in Taiwan, the United States, Japan and now Australia with the Western Sydney Wanderers.

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