FCB - Penya L.A.

U.S. Under-20 Women Will Travel to Chile for
Three Matches   




CHICAGO (February 1, 2008) - The U.S. Under-20 Women’s National Team, led by new head coach Tony DiCicco, will travel to La Serena, Chile, from Feb. 7-17, as part of continuing preparations for CONCACAF Qualifying for the 2008 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup, to be held in Chile from Nov. 20-Dec. 7.

The USA will play three matches against other U-20 teams, taking on England on Feb. 11, Norway on Feb. 13 and host Chile on Feb. 15.

The tour will provide some valuable acclimatization for the U-20s and give DiCicco his first look at the player pool under international game conditions. All three opponents have already qualified for the U-20
Women’s World Cup, meaning the Americans will get three excellent matches as a preview to possible matches in the WWC.

Dates and venues for CONCACAF qualifying have yet to be set, but the eight-team tournament, which will send three teams to Chile, will feature Cuba, Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico, Nicaragua and the USA.

DiCicco will bring 18 players to Chile, including two who represented the USA at the 2006 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Championship in Russia, in forwards Kelley O’Hara and Casey Nogueira. Of the 18 players, 16 are in college with the two high school-age players being 2007 Gatorade National Player of the Year Melissa Henderson and 2007 Parade Girl’s Soccer Player of the Year Teresa Noyola, both seniors.

The 2008 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup will feature 16 teams. Eight countries have already qualified:

Asia: China, Japan, North Korea
Africa: Two berths TBD
Europe: England, France, Germany, Norway
CONCACAF: Three berths TBD
Oceania: One berth TBD
South America: Two berths TBD
Host: Chile

U.S. Under-20 Women’s National Team Roster Feb. 7-17 – La Serena, Chile
GOALKEEPERS (2): Alyssa Naeher (Penn State), Kristin Olsen (USC);
DEFENDERS (4): Lauren Barnes (UCLA), Lauren Fowlkes (Notre Dame), Nikki Marshall (Colorado), Ella Stephan (Florida State);
MIDFIELDERS (8): Amanda DaCosta (Florida State), Becky Edwards (Florida State), Kasey Johnson (USC), Teresa Noyola (MVLA Mercury), Elli Reed (Portland), Nikki Washington (UNC), Keelin Winters (Portland), Kylie Wright (UCLA);
FORWARDS (4): Michelle Enyeart (Portland), Melissa Henderson Dallas Texans), Casey Nogueira (UNC), Kelley O’Hara (Stanford).

U.S. U-20 WNT Schedule
Date          Match-
Up                                      Venue
Feb. 11     USA U-20 vs. England U-20    La Serena, Chile
Feb. 13     USA U-20 vs. Norway U-20      La Serena, Chile
Feb. 15     USA U-20 vs. Chile U-20          La Serena, Chile

Larry Garrity Award: Katie Davis (San Marino, Calif.), freshman midfielder
 
Established in 1995 in honor of a faithful Dartmouth fan, this award is presented to the most outstanding first year-player, and Katie Davis (FCB Alum), was selected by her teammmates 
or this outstanding award.  Katie had a solid freshman campaign, playing in all 16 games with 11 starts and was an integral part of Dartmouth's attacking play and midfield 
defense.
 
Congratulations to Katie on a wonderful achievement!

COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS - The USC women's soccer team capped off its history-making season with one last huge feat - the NCAA Championship. The second-seeded Women of Troy tacked up their fifth shutout of the NCAA Tournament - an accomplishment never before achieved - with a 2-0 decision over third-seeded Florida State in the NCAA title match on Sunday afternoon at Aggie Soccer Complex in College Station, Texas.

The 2007 National Champs end their powerful year with a 20-3-2 overall record after breaking yet another program record with the Trojans' 15th shutout of the season. The defense is anchored by former BARCA standout, Kasey Johnson, who is only a freshman. Head coach becomes the first coach in NCAA history to lead his team to the NCAA championship in his first season with his program.

Colombo Solves Pioneers, Garnet Win 3-0

SWARTHMORE, Pa. - The Swarthmore women's soccer team got a pair of goals from freshman Megan Colombo (Arcadia, Calif. / Arcadia) on the way to a 3-0 non-conference win over Grinnell (Iowa) Friday night at Clothier Field.

The Garnet struck first as Colombo out-raced a Pioneer defender up the left flank and then chipped a left-footed shot over Grinnell for her first career goal at 16:43.

Colombo needed little time to score her second career goal, receiving a through-ball from sophomore midfielder Monica Cody (Torrance, Calif. / Marymount) before sticking the ball in the left panel at 23:24.

Garnet freshman forward Amy Vaschal (Somerset, N.J. / Rutgers Prep) gave the hometowners a 3-0 lead headed into the intermission with her first collegiate goal. Freshman midfielder Hannah Purkey (Palo Alto, Calif./ Palo Alto) touched a pass through to Amy Vachal '11 (Somerset, N.J./ Rutgers Prep).

With 20 shots and eight on goal the Garnet offense was on fire during their third win of the season. Swarthmore out shot their opponents who only got off 9 shots and 6 on goal.

Swarthmore goalkeeper Lauren Walker '09 (Fallston, Md. / Hotchkiss School) had another successful night with six saves, continuing her scoreless streak of 266:37 dating back to the end of 2006.

Pioneers' goalie Laura McElroy '11 (Chicago, Ill./ Lincoln Park) came out with five saves in the match.

The Garnet will travel to Philadelphia Biblical on Tuesday, September 11 and return home to open up the Centennial Conference schedule with a 4:00 p.m. match vs. Dickinson on Sat., Sept. 15.