U-23 WNT Draws Norway 2-2 at Four Nations Tournament in Norway

CHICAGO (May 29, 2015) – The U.S. Under-23 Women’s National Team tied host Norway 2-2 in its second match of a three-game tournament being held in Fredrikstad and Sarpsborg, Norway in the southeast region of the country, about 60 miles south of Oslo.

The USA was coming off a 2-1 victory against Sweden in its first match, but fell behind 1-0 in the 11th minute as Andrine Hegerberg converted a penalty kick.

The USA roared back to take the lead on two second half goals from forward Chioma Ubogagu, who is currently playing her club soccer in England with the Arsenal Ladies.

The USA equalized in the 51st minute after a Norway clearance was won by Daphne Corboz, who fed the ball to Katie Stengel near the top of the penalty area. Stengel in turn found Ubogagu, who took a few touches and put a shot that deflected off the goalkeeper’s arm into the net.

The USA took the lead in the 75th minute, once again after winning possession of a clearance. Ashley Meier touched it to Rose Lavelle, who turned and fed the ball past a defender to Ubogagu on the left side. Ubogagu took a few touches and tucked it past the goalkeeper.

Norway only took three minute to equalize as Cathrine Dekkerhus gained possession of the ball and fed it through the U.S. back line to Synne Hansen. She received the ball about 30 yards out, fought off two defenders, and slipped the ball past U.S. goalkeeper Jane Campbell near the penalty spot.

The USA still has a chance to win the tournament as it finishes up its three-games-in-five-days set on May 31 against England at Fredrikstad Stadium.

- U.S. U-23 Women’s National Team Match Report -

Match:U.S. Under-23 Women’s National Team vs. Norway Under-23 Women’s National Team
Date: May 29, 2015
Competition: U-23 Four Nations Tournament
Venue: Sarpsborg Stadium, Sarpsborg, Norway

Scoring Summary:                   1          2          F
USA                                         0          2          2
NOR                                         1          1          2

NOR - Andrine Hegerberg (penalty kick)                                      11th Minute
USA - Chioma Ubogagu (Katie Stengel)                                      51
USA - Chioma Ubogagu (Rose Lavelle)                                      75
NOR - Synne Hansen (Cathrine Dekkerhus)                                 78

Lineups:
USA: 1-Jane Campbell; 13-Christina Gibbons; 21-Christen Westphal; 2-Cari Roccaro (capt.); 19-Andi Sullivan; 4-Michaela Hahn (6-Daphne Corboz, 46); 11-Alexis Shaffer (8-Ashley Meier, 64); 10-Rose Lavelle; 14-Taylor Smith; 25-Katie Stengel (22-Jaycie Johnson, 64); 16-Margaret Purce (9-Chioma Ubogagu, 46)
Substitutes Not Used: Kayla Mills, Abby Smith, Jessie Scarpa
Head Coach: Janet Rayfield

NOR: 1-Nora Gjoen; 13-Tuva Hansen (Cecilie Kvamme, 46); 4-Stine Reinas; 14-Ingrid Stenevik; 5-Nora Byom Nilssen; 7-Guro Reiten (19-Synne Hansen, 46); 20-Anja Sonstevold; 16-Maria Brochmann (8-Cathrine Dekkerhus, 62); 17-Lisa Naalsund (11-Victoria Ludvigsen, 77); 10-Andrine Hegerberg (capt.); 9-Andrea Thun (18-Vilde Fjelldal, 62)
Substitutes Not Used: Ane Walsoe, Kristine Nostmo
Head Coach: Goril Kringen

Stats Summary: USA / NOR
Shots: 16 / 10
Shots on Goal: 7 / 5
Saves: 3 / 5
Corner Kicks: 5 / 3
Fouls: 6 / 10
Offside: 4 / 4

Misconduct:
USA - Rose Lavelle (caution)                 34th Minute
NOR - Victoria Ludvigsen (caution)        90

Officials:
Referee:  Fatemeh Zangeneh (NOR)
Assistant Referee 1: Rikke Melby (NOR)
Assistant Referee 2: Sonia Kahn (NOR)
Fourth Official: Ole Valen (NOR)