Briefs: Palacios shines for Mexico

UC Irvine junior Kiana Palacios scored three goals in three group-play matches to help Mexico reach the quarterfinals of the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Papau New Guinea.

Mexico was eliminated by the United States, which rallied for a 2-1 win on Thursday.

Palacios led Mexico in scoring in the tournament, which included two victories. She was named Player of the Match in a 3-2 win over Venezuela that propelled Mexico through group play into the knockout round. She scored twice in the first 10 minutes against Venezuela.

Her third goal came in a 2-0 group-opening win over Korea Republic.

Palacios had a team-best nine goals and 23 points (two points for a goal and one for an assist) for UCI this season, though she missed the final six games to join the Mexican U-20 national team.

— From staff reports

— From staff reports

UCI’s Piper singled out

UC Irvine senior women’s basketball forward Mckenzie Piper has been nominated for the 2017 Allstate Women’s Basketball Coaches Assn. Good Works Team.

The honor recognizes student-athletes who represent the sport’s finest in the areas of community service and leadership among their peers.

Piper has been active both on campus and in the community, while also being a leader on the court and maintaining a grade-point average better than 3.5. She is a member of UCI’s student-athlete advisory committee, representing the ‘Eaters at both the conference and national level. The Iowa City, Iowa, native has also volunteered at local hospitals, elementary schools and the Down Syndrome Foundation of Orange County.

In addition, she has helped out at numerous charity events including the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, Walk for Autism and the Big West Toy Drive.

Piper, who has been sidelined by injury, has averaged 4.7 points in three games this season.

She is on track to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in public health policy and a minor in management. Following graduation, she aspires to attain a master’s degree and become a physician’s assistant.

Piper is one of 97 NCAA Division I women’s basketball student-athletes nominated for the honor. Five finalists will be selected in February.

— From staff reports

— From staff reports