Ex-Sailor aids cause

MOSCOW, Russia — Newport Harbor High product Erin Hardy helped the United States under-20 women’s soccer team advance to the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Championship at Dynamo Stadium.

The U.S. team defeated Argentina, 4-1, Tuesday in its second Group D match to advance. The U.S. plays France Thursday to determine who finishes first and second in Group D, but both teams will advance.

Group D will crossover with Group C in the quarterfinals. North Korea and Germany appear to be the teams that advance from Group C.

Hardy, who plays soccer at UCLA, attended her first under-20 training camp in May and earned a spot on the World Championship roster.

Hardy was a trusted defender for the Bruins last season, when she was named to the Pac-10 All-Freshman team.