Aldcroft had huge desire and determination and, to further her rugby ambitions, moved from the family home in the north-east to the south-west to study and take part in a full-time rugby programme at Hartpury College.

"Moving away was a huge decision," Aldcroft said. "The first week I hated it. I didn't realise I would be so homesick but it was the best two years I have ever experienced.

"I hoped one day I would be able to play for England, so I concentrated on that dream."

Sean Lynn, now head coach of Wales women, first encountered a 16-year-old Aldcroft when he was teaching at Hartpury.

It was not long before he had a conversation with Red Rose head coach Simon Middleton about a player he "can't fault".

"'She's not going to be a leader by her outspoken words, this girl will lead by example'," said Lynn, who became head coach of Gloucester-Hartpury in 2020.

"On and off the pitch, she is just a professional individual.

"She is that warrior queen but what I love about her is she demands high standards in training."

Aldcroft signed for Darlington Mowden Park Shark in 2015, representing England under-20s for two years before making an instant impact on her senior England debut in November 2016.

Coming on in the closing stages against then Six Nations champions France, she scored the winning try in a 17-13 victory.

Next year she signed for Gloucester-Hartpury and in 2018 was named co-captain with Natasha Hunt, while establishing herself in the England squad.

"Once you get a little taste of it you just want more," she said. "I am just so hungry to keep developing with the teams."

EDMONTON, Alberta -- NHL leading goal-scorer Leon Draisaitl was scratched due to an undisclosed injury in the Edmonton Oilers' home game against the Western Conference-leading Winnipeg Jets on Thursday night.

Before falling 4-3 in overtime to Winnipeg, Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch referred to Draisaitl as being doubtful to play in listing the forward's status as day to day. He said the team was taking a cautious approach a month before the playoffs open and after Draisaitl was hurt in a 7-1 win over Utah on Tuesday.

"We feel that this is something that he probably could play through," Knoblauch said. "We certainly don't want it to be an issue for the long term."

Draisaitl's 49 goals lead the league, and he's one away from reaching the 50-goal plateau for the fourth time in 11 NHL seasons. He also ranks second in the league with 101 points, three behind Colorado's Nathan MacKinnon entering games Thursday.

In the meantime, Oilers forward Evander Kane joined his teammates for an optional pregame skate for the first time this season. The 33-year-old Kane has yet to play this season. He remains on long-term IR after having abdominal surgery in September followed by a knee procedure done in January.

Also joining the Oilers for their morning skate was newly sworn in Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who is a fan of the team having grown up in Edmonton. Carney wore an Oilers No. 24 jersey to represent being the nation's 24th prime minister upon replacing Justin Trudeau, who stepped down earlier this month.

The 60-year-old Carney was a third-string goaltender at Harvard and co-captain of the Oxford University Blues.

In calling it "a special moment" to be joined by Carney, Knoblauch added: "It's nice to have a (prime minister) who cheers for the good team."

Carney was in Edmonton to meet with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.

WASHINGTON -- Alex Ovechkin is one step closer to NHL history after the "Great 8" reached a fitting number in his pursuit of Wayne Gretzky's career goals record.

Ovechkin scored his 888th goal Thursday night in a 3-2 victory by the Washington Capitals over Philadelphia that helped them clinch a playoff berth, moving seven back of passing Gretzky's mark of 894 that long seemed unapproachable.

"Again a big goal at a big time," goaltender Charlie Lindgren said. "Credit to Ovi: another big goal and another goal off the mark."

With just over five minutes left in the first period, the puck hit linemate Aliaksei Protas in front and he passed it to Ovechkin. The 39-year-old beat Samuel Ersson for his 35th goal of the season, which is tied for fourth most in the league.

"It was a great play," Ovechkin said. "Take it and move on."

Confetti flew and Big Joe Turner's "Shake, Rattle and Roll" blared from speakers as mascot Slapshot flipped the goal counter in a corner of the arena from 887 to 888. Fans chanted "Ovi! Ovi!" as play resumed.

"Every time he scores, the crowd gets 10 times more involved and it just kind of blows up, and whatever happens after, they're still always cheering," winger Andrew Mangiapane said. "It's a great atmosphere every time he gets a goal for us."

Mangiapane, who wears jersey No. 88, saw the triple 8s and manifested he might get one, too. Midway through the second period, he scored.

"There was lots of 8s out there," Ovechkin said.

Ovechkin at his current pace has a chance to to break Gretzky's record before the end of the regular season.

"It seemed like the last two years no one really expected it to happen this quick," Flyers captain Sean Couturier said. "It's definitely special. I'm sure when we're done playing we can say we played against the greatest goal scorer of all time. ... Happy for him. It's fun to see him get closer."

The Capitals have 13 games left in the regular season before the playoffs. Ovechkin has one year left on his current contract in case he does not reach the mark this season.

His teammates are hoping he gets to 895 with time to spare.

"We'd love to see him get it done," Lindgren said. "He's generating a ton of scoring chances every single game. He could've had a couple tonight. Obviously, I don't know exactly what he's feeling, I don't know how much pressure he's feeling, but, boy, I'll tell you, seeing him and being with him every day you look at him, you wouldn't know that he's feeling any sort of pressure at all.

"He's still going out and producing and scoring goals for us and being one heck of a captain."

Coach Spencer Carbery believes there are many positives for the Capitals with Ovechkin on this mission.

"Our guys feed off it on the bench - they're pulling for him," Carbery said. "I think it energizes them to play at a higher level. ... There's no question as a coach I feel like this chase and the energy around it hasn't been a distraction or a hindrance to our group. It's been a massive benefit."

EDMONTON, Alberta -- Oilers captain Connor McDavid suffered a lower-body injury and did not return in the third period of a 4-3 overtime loss to the Western Conference-leading Winnipeg Jets on Thursday night.

Goalie Stuart Skinner also was hurt when he was involved in a late-game collision and removed due to concussion protocols. Calvin Pickard stopped three shots in Skinner's place.

Speaking after the game, coach Kris Knoblauch said there was no update on the statuses of either McDavid or Skinner.

McDavid appeared to get hurt while attempting to chase down the puck in the Jets' zone when he was bumped by Winnipeg defenseman Josh Morrissey.

In the second period, McDavid assisted on Jeff Skinner's goal to extend his point streak to 13 games. McDavid has combined for four goals and 15 assists in the span.

McDavid's injury came at the same time the Oilers held out NHL leading scorer Leon Draisaitl for precautionary reasons after the forward was hurt in a 7-1 win over Utah on Tuesday. Knoblauch said Draisaitl is day-to-day.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

A last-minute goal by Vinícius Júnior secured Brazil's 2-1 win over Colombia in World Cup qualifying on Thursday, helping his team and millions of fans avoid more disappointment.

A draw would have seen Brazil slump to sixth in the South American standings. Instead, Brazil moved to second spot behind Argentina after Vinicius Júnior's long-range goal.

The top six teams are guaranteed spots at next year's World Cup in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico, and so the victory released some pressure on Brazil coach Dorival Júnior ahead of next week's game against Argentina. The five-time champions have never missed a World Cup.

Lionel Scaloni's Argentina squad has 25 points after 12 games - four points clear of Brazil (21 points from 13 games) -- and is close to securing its place in the 2026 World Cup.

Argentina will be without Lionel Messi when it plays at Uruguay on Friday, four days before its scheduled showdown with Brazil. The last time the two South American powerhouses met, Argentina won 1-0 at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro in 2023.

Brazil midfielder Bruno Guimarães and defender Gabriel Magalhães were booked against Colombia and will miss the match in Buenos Aires on Tuesday. Colombia will play host to Paraguay on the same day.

Brazil appeared more energized than in previous games, with speed, high skill and an early goal from the spot suggesting that coach Dorival Júnior had found a starting lineup to get the job done.

But then a defensive mistake put it all at risk for the hosts in Brasilia until a moment of brilliance by Vinicius Júnior.

Raphinha scored in the sixth minute after Vinicius Júnior was fouled in the penalty box. After that, Brazil kept possession, but didn't put on real pressure to add a second in front of 70,000 fans.

Colombia equalized with a crossed shot by Luis Díaz in the 41st after substitute Joeliton, who replaced injured Gerson, lost the ball at the edge of Brazil's box.

Both teams struggled with accuracy in the second half until Vinicius Júnior took a shot from long distance which deflected off Jefferson Lerma and beat goalkeeper Camilo Vargas.

"This was very important, we deserved to win. I deserved this goal too for all I have worked for," Vinicius Júnior said of his first goal in this qualifying tournament. "It was a bit of relief, a bit of happiness."

Cecilio Waterman enjoyed two life highlights in a memorable night at SoFi Stadium on Thursday. Not only did the Panama striker score a stunning winner against the U.S. men's national team, he got to celebrate with his soccer idol, Thierry Henry.

Waterman's goal came in the fourth minute of second-half injury time as Panama beat the three-time defending champion USMNT 1-0 in Inglewood, California, to reach the Concacaf Nations League final.

Waterman took a pass down the right side from Adalberto Carrasquilla in front of a packed-in U.S. defense and fired a perfect right-footed diagonal shot past Matt Turner into the far left corner. Waterman's 11th international goal, on Panama's only shot on target on the night, advanced the Panamanians to a final Sunday against Mexico or Canada.

"Many good things have happened to me in my career, but this one is different," Waterman said. "This one was incredible."

Waterman, a 33-year-old who plays professionally in Chile, ripped off his jersey and hurdled the advertising end boards before climbing up onto a broadcast stage to celebrate with Henry, who looked just as stunned as the rest of the crowd at SoFi Stadium.

"You are my idol!" Waterman repeatedly shouted in Spanish before hugging Henry, an Arsenal great.

Waterman took his own step toward idol status as Panama beat the U.S. for the third straight time in competitive matches, following wins in a 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup semifinal and the group stage of last year's Copa América.

Coach Thomas Christiansen's side has repeatedly exceeded expectations during his tenure, and this victory was only the latest remarkable achievement for Los Canaleros, who beat Costa Rica on the road last November in the Nations League quarterfinals.

"This is the third time we have been in this position," Waterman said. "This time, we want to give that gift to Panama. We want to achieve something for them, for Central America

Panama earned one of the biggest wins in its soccer history at the same stadium where Los Canaleros lost the 2023 Gold Cup final to Mexico on a late goal by Santi Giménez. Three days before that match, Panama also upset the U.S. 5-4 on penalty kicks in a semifinal.

"I think the guys played a great match," Christiansen said. "The only way to beat the U.S. is with tactical discipline and order, and then a little luck. That has to be with you, and it was with us this time."

For the first time, the Concacaf Nations League trophy won't stay in the U.S. The Americans won the first three editions of this tournament, which only began in 2019.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

Harry Kane has said he sees himself with a real chance of winning the next men's Ballon d'Or, adding his "aura" as a player has improved since joining Bayern Munich.

The 31-year-old striker, who is England's all-time leading goalscorer, has netted 32 goals and provided 11 assists in 37 appearances across all competitions this season for Bayern, helping the German giants top the Bundesliga table and book a place in the Champions League quarterfinals.

While no English player has won the Ballon d'Or since former Liverpool striker Michael Owen in 2001, Kane believes his chance of winning men's football's top individual award has been boosted by his August 2023 move from Tottenham Hotspur to Bayern.

"Just being at a club like Bayern Munich has helped push me on even more, confidence-wise and responsibility-wise," Kane told reporters ahead of Friday's World Cup qualifier against Albania.

"I feel like I've definitely got better, I've improved, and maybe the 'aura' of me as a player is a bit more respected than what it has been in the past, because you're playing in big games, big nights.

"That's probably what I mean in terms of being respected more worldwide, on the bigger stage. For something like that, you have to win enough team trophies to be considered in that and probably score 40-odd goals, but that is a possibility this season."

Kane said his goal-scoring feats are not always appreciated but he remains motivated as ever.

"It's like when [Cristiano] Ronaldo and [Lionel] Messi were throwing these crazy numbers out there and the next season they'd score 40 goals instead of 50. It was like they were having a bad season," Kane said.

"People take it for granted and maybe a little bit with England as well. I've scored 69 goals and when you score against Albania or Latvia, or these teams, people just expect it so it's not spoken about so much.

"If I was 25 now and doing what I'm doing, the excitement around me would maybe be a little bit different to what it is now. That's part of where we are with football ... Maybe people just get a little bit bored of what you do, but I'm certainly not bored. I'm excited for these games and the games ahead."

Information from Reuters contributed to this report.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- Panama officially has the number of U.S. men's national team, as Canalero substitute Cecilio Waterman scored in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time to give Panama a stunning 1-0 win Thursday at SoFi Stadium, thus ending the USMNT's run of three consecutive wins in the Concacaf Nations League.

Combined with last summer's 2-1 triumph in the Copa America, it marked the third straight time Panama had defeated the U.S. in tournament play -- following the 2023 Gold Cup semifinal win on penalties, and the 2024 Copa America group stage -- and it was Mauricio Pochettino's first taste of defeat in a competitive fixture since being confirmed as coach on Sept. 10.

After the match, Pochettino didn't hide his frustration at the U.S. performance, especially in a first half in which he felt the U.S. didn't take enough risks. "I'm disappointed because I think it's not the way that we want to build this journey together and moving forward with the objective to play in the World Cup, with the objective to be competitive," he said.

In many respects, Panama was deserving of its win. Panama was tactically smart, stout in defense, and opportunistic in attack. It wasn't only the most unimaginative performance of Pochettino's early tenure, it was also the worst, with sterile passing throughout. Christian Pulisic's deliveries from set pieces -- the U.S. had nine corners -- was also poor.

Above all, the match also underscored how the creation of quality chances remains the USMNT's primary weakness. This has been the case for years, of course, even with a generational talent such as Pulisic in the U.S. ranks, other players at top clubs, and a top coach (Pochettino) at the helm. But the aforementioned approach used by Panama remains the blueprint for beating the U.S.

Granted, it was just in November that the U.S. looked to be making strides with regard to its attack. The Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal triumph over Jamaica looked as if the Pochettino era had officially achieved lift off. The U.S. looked dynamic and took its chances well over two legs in a 5-2 aggregate win.

Against Panama, the U.S. reverted to form, at least in terms of its offense. The U.S. sent wave after wave of attacks against the Panama defense, most crashing harmlessly against a well-organized 5-4-1 formation. Only Josh Sargent's close-range effort in the 19th minute, blocked by Panama defender Edgardo Fariña, saw the U.S. come close in the first half.

But even as Panama was well-drilled, there were plenty of instances in which the U.S. didn't help itself. Some lackluster touches turned promising attacks into ones that Panama was able to defuse. At other times, the U.S. team's movement was too static.

"Sharpness for sure can be better," said midfielder Tyler Adams, who returned to the U.S. lineup for the first time since last summer's Copa America. "I'm not sitting here to make excuses about anything. We're not jet-lagged. We're not anything: guys play three-game weeks all the time in tough environments in the Premier League, whatever leagues they're playing in respectively and it's tough.

"So yeah, I think we have new ideas in our head, and you can tell we're trying to work through them for sure. But yeah, it needs to be better."

All of this turned Sargent into a spectator for much of the match. The match presented a huge opportunity for the Norwich City striker to show he could repeat his prolific club form -- 12 goals and five assists in 24 games -- at the international level, and convince Pochettino that when the likes of Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi return from injury, it should be Sargent who is put in the starting lineup.

For Sargent, that kind of performance didn't materialize, though suffice it say, the service was lacking. He did put the ball in the net in the 25th minute, but Timothy Weah was judged (correctly) to have been offside in the buildup.

Sargent was finally pulled in the 68th minute for Patrick Agyemang, and the Charlotte FC striker nearly put the U.S. ahead in the 82nd minute when a through ball from Weston McKennie put him in the clear, but Panama keeper Orlando Mosquera produced a fabulous save low to his left.

The U.S. needed an infusion of creativity from Pochettino's bench; both Gio Reyna and Diego Luna were left sitting as the former Tottenham, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain coach opted for Jack McGlynn instead. It ultimately didn't work, and the U.S. was made to pay thanks to Waterman's late strike.

Pochettino said he was waiting for extra time to possibly introduce either player. That moment never came, but he hinted both Reyna and Luna might get an opportunity Sunday.

Questions can be asked too of goalkeeper Matt Turner's positioning on the winning goal, being too close to the near post and seemingly unable to spring across and meet the pace on Waterman's low effort. His status seems certain in this time, but a lack of consistent playing time -- Turner has made only four appearances for Crystal Palace in 2024-25, totaling 360 minutes across the FA Cup and Carabao Cup -- contributes to not being able to meet the moment.

So where does the U.S. go from here? Pochettino hinted at overconfidence.

"We are USA. You cannot win with your shirt, or you cannot win if you play here, there or I don't know," he said, referring to players' clubs. "You need to show, and you need to come here and be better, and suffer, and win the duels and work hard. If not, it's not going to be enough."

Adams, meanwhile, added that the passivity of the U.S. attack on this night needed to be addressed.

"I don't know what we've lacked exactly, whether it was that competitive nature, that mentality, but we need to look in the mirror before anything and just realize that when we have these types of games, we can't wait for something to happen," Adams said. "We need to make things happen and put games on our terms."

The U.S. will need to quickly find players with the necessary awareness of the challenges ahead. Up next, it will face either Canada or Mexico -- its fellow World Cup co-hosts -- in Sunday's third-place game, and Pochettino will again be searching for ways to revive a dismal attack.