U-20 WNT Defeats Norway U-23 WNT 2-1 in La Manga, Spain

LA MANGA, Spain (March 6, 2016) – The U.S. Under-20 Women’s National Team defeated the Norway U-23 WNT 2-1 as Parker Roberts and Ally Watt staked the USA to a 2-0 lead before Norway pulled a goal back late.

The U.S. U-20s went 2-0-1 against U-23 teams at the event in La Manga, tying Sweden 1-1 while defeating England 1-0.

The USA opened the scoring in the 13^th minute as the speedy Tegan McGrady beat a defender down the left side and played a cross into the penalty box. Roberts was unmarked and finished with a first time volley.

The USA doubled its lead in the 62^nd minute as Watt scored the winning goal for the second consecutive match. Courtney Petersen received a long ball played out of the back with a great touch out of the air and then beat the left back. She then played an early ball into the penalty area where Watt finished first time on the ground.

Norway scored in the 77^th minute  but the USA held strong to earn the win as Rose Chandler and Casey Murphy split halves in goal.

This competition served as excellent preparation for the U-20s at it readies itself for the 2016 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Papua New Guinea. The USA earned its berth to the World Cup by winning its semifinal match of the CONCACAF qualifying tournament against host Honduras last December and then defeated Canada 1-0 for the regional title. The eighth FIFA Women’s World Cup for this age level (the first two were held as U-19 events) will take place from Nov. 13-Dec. 3.

The 16-team field for the tournament is set and it’s a strong one, featuring Canada, Mexico, the USA, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Japan, Korea DPR, Korea Republic, Ghana, Nigeria, Brazil, Venezuela, France, Germany, Spain, and Sweden.

U-20 Women’s National Team Match Report

Match: U.S. U-20 WNT vs. Norway U-23 WNT
Date: March 6, 2016
Competition: Women’s U-23 6-Nations Tournament
Venue: Field B; La Manga, Spain
Weather: 60 degrees, sunny

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

USA – Parker Roberts (Tegan McGrady)                   13th minute
USA – Ally Watt (Courtney Peterson)              62
NOR – Vilde Bøe Risa                                     77

Lineups:
USA: 1-Rose Chandler (capt.) (18-Casey Murphey, 46); 4-Ally Watt (23-Michelle Xiao, 69), 6-Savannah Demelo (11-Taylor Racioppi, 58), 7-Parker Roberts, 8-Jordan Dibasi (10-Emily Ogle, 76), 9-Tegan McGrady, 14-Taylor Otto, 17-Kelcie Hedge (16-Emily Fox, 58), 19-Alana Cook, 21-Ellie Jean, 25-Mimi Asom (2-Courtney Peterson, 58)
Subs not used: 3-Madeline Elliston, 5-Natalie Jacobs, 12-Mikaela Harvey, 15-Jessie Scarpa, 22-Kaleigh Riehl
Head Coach: Michelle French 

NOR: 1-Aurora Mikalsen; 2-Cecilie Redisch Kvamme, 3-Ingrid Katrine Buer Søndenå, 4-Kristine Leine, 6-Vilde Bøe Risa, 7-Karina Sævik, 9-Andrea Thun (14-Rikke Storrø, 61), 10-Guro Reiten (capt.) (8-Johanne Fridlund, 61), 11-Amalie Vevle Eikeland, 13-Mali Lilleås Næss, 19-Synne Skinnes Hansen (17-Therese Sessy Åsland, 61)
Subs not used: 5-Nora Byom-Nilssen, 12-Anniken Jerre, 15-Ingrid Østervold Stenevik, 16-Lena Soleng Hansen, 18-Mina Kjørum, 20-Tonje Pedersen
Head Coach: Hege Riise 

Stats Summary: USA / NOR
Shots: 4 / 7
Shots on Goal: 2 / 3
Saves: 2 / 0
Corner Kicks: 3 / 6
Fouls: 5 / 11

Misconduct Summary:
None

Officials:
Referee: Lorraine Clark (SCO)
Assistant Referee 1: Kylie McMullan (SCO)
Assistant Referee 2: Vikki Robertson (SCO)