July 7, 2008
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The 2008 Beijing Olympics are quickly approaching and head coach Erica Walsh and alumni Ali Krieger (2003-06) and Erin McLeod (2004-05) are gearing up for their trip to China. On the U-20 stage current Nittany Lions' junior Alyssa Naeher (Seymour, Conn.), freshman Christine Nairn (Bowie, Md.) and freshman Lexi Marton (Aurora, Ontario) just wrapped up the 2008 CONCACAF Tournament with Marton and her Canadian teammates taking home the trophy. All three qualified for the U-20 FIFA World Cup coming up this fall with their respective teams.
U.S. Women's National Team
Walsh, an assistant on the U.S. Women's National Team, helped guide the team to a victory in the 2008 Peace Queen Cup back on June 21 as they defeated Canada, 1-0. Following a brief stint in University Park, Pa., Walsh headed back over seas this time to Norway where the U.S team defeated the home side 4-0. This past Saturday Walsh and the squad traveled to Sweden and picked up a 2-0 victory moving their pre-Olympic record to 17-0-1.
Krieger is also traveling with the team as an alternate for the Olympics. She is one of four players waiting in the wings for their opportunity to help the U.S. squad as she continues to train and prepare with the team.
Canadian Women's National Team
On the Canadian front, McLeod led her squad to the championship game of the Peace Queen Cup falling to the U.S. 1-0. She posted a 5-0 shutout against Argentina in one of the opening round games and had a stellar performance in the championship game against the number-1 ranked U.S. squad before giving up the deciding goal in the 92nd minute of play.
U.S. U-20 Women's National Team
Naeher and Nairn were big contributors to the U.S. U-20 squad's bid to qualify for the 2008 FIFA World Cup. Naeher recorded three shutouts and allowed just one goal in the CONCACAF Tournament as the team finished second to Canada. In the opening game, Naeher played all 90 minutes shutting out Trinidad & Tobago 4-0. She would get a rest in the second game as the U.S. along with Nairn, who played 44 minutes, defeated Cuba 9-0. Naeher started the remaining three games recording shutouts against Mexico and Costa Rica before allowing her lone goal of the tournament against Canada.
Nairn also played the remaining three games earning 25 minutes against Canada in the Championship.
Canada's U-20 Women's National Team
Marton, one of Canada's team captains, led her squad to the CONCACAF Tournament Championship as she played every minute of every game on defense for the Canucks. Her squad only allowed two goals the entire tournament as they won just their second U-20 CONCACAF Championship.
To keep up with Walsh, Krieger, Naher and Nairn check out ussoccer.com. For information on McLeod and Marton go to canadasoccer.com.