[UNDER-17 WOMEN'S WORLD CUP] The USA squeaked into Sunday's quarterfinals of the inaugural Under-17 Women's World Cup in New Zealand thanks to a 1-1 tie with France on Wednesday.

Vicki DiMartino, younger sister of UCLA star Christina DiMartino and Boston College standout Gina DiMartino, was the U.S. hero, scoring in her third straight game with a left-footed shot in the 56th minute.

France's Bleuettes, needing a win to advance, got an equalizer from Lea Rubio with a rocket from 30 yards, but U.S. keeper Taylor Vancil held off a late French charge.

The Americans finished second in Group B with four points, edged France on goal difference. Japan won Group C with a 7-2 win over Paraguay that gave it 17 goals in three games, all wins.

GAME SUMMARY:
Nov. 5 in Auckland
USA 1 France 1. Goals: DiMartino 56; Rubio 62).
USA -- Vancil, Brooks, Dunn, Colohan, Roberts (Harris, 90), Eddy (S.Mewis, 35), Quon, Klei, K.Mewis (Johnson, 85), DiMartino, Verloo.
Paraguay -- Philippe, La Villa, Butel, Rubio, Jaurena, Poulain, Crammer, Barbance (Lavaud, 90), Augis (Perdrizet, 86), Gadea, Catala (Makanza, 46).
Referee: Silvia Reyes (Peru).

DAY 3 RESULTS:
Group A
Nov. 4 in Hamilton
Canada 0 Denmark 0.
Nov. 4 in Wellington
New Zealand 3 (White 44, 81, 87) Colombia 1 (Ariza 82).
Final Standings: Denmark, Canada 5 points; New Zealand 3; Colombia 2.

Group B
Nov. 4 in Hamilton
Germany 1 (Popp 3) North Korea 1 (Jon Myong Hwa 58).
Nov. 4 in Wellington
Ghana 1 (Afriyie 19) Costa Rica 0.
Final Standings: Germany 7 points; North Korea 5; Ghana 4; Costa Rica 0.

Group C
Nov. 5 in Christchurch
Japan 7 (Kishikawa 36, 73, Ohshima 40, Hamada 43, 52, Takahashi 83, 89) Paraguay 2 (Gonzalez pen. 20, Villamayor 55). 
Nov. 5 in Auckland
USA 1 (DiMartino 56) France 1 (Rubio 62).
Final Standings: Japan 9 points; USA, France 4; Paraguay 0.