FRISCO, Texas – Star striker Raquel Rodriguez Cedeño scored two goals to place the National Women’s Football Team of Costa Rica, affectionately known as Las Ticas,  in the 2016 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship semifinals with a 2-1 win over Mexico on Monday at Toyota Stadium.

With this victory, Las Ticas claimed one of the top-two places in Group A, with the United States needing only a draw against already-eliminated Puerto Rico to finish atop the table.

Mexico got a masterful bicycle kick goal in the 79th minute from Maribel Dominguez – her fourth in three games – to halve a deficit, but it missed out on a final-four berth for the first time in the four-edition history of the competition.

The star of night, though, was Raquel Rodriguez, a player that is garnering plenty of attention around the world. The 22-year-old forward struck once in each half to take her tournament-best goal total to five. Her penalty kick in the 57th minute made the difference for Las Ticas, who are still fresh from the experience of having qualified for their first FIFA World Cup last year in Canada.

Costa Rica was in a tight spot after being drubbed by the current FIFA World Champions five goals to nothing in the first match. The second match against Costa Rica saw the team refreshed and ready to stay in the tournament as they enjoyed a goal fest of 9-0 against Puerto Rico. That match, which featured a couple of hat tricks by Raquel Rodriguez and

Costa Rica has never qualified for the Olympic Games, but can do so with a win against either Group B’s Canada, Guyana or Trinidad & Tobago on Friday at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston.

Match report courtesy of CONCACAF.