Dec. 6, 2013
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State women's soccer freshman Brittany Basinger (Purcellville, Va.) and senior Maya Hayes (West Orange, N.J.) have been invited to train with the U.S. U-20 and U-23 Women's National Teams at training camps that will take place in Sunrise, Fla. from Dec. 14-21.
The U-20 training camp is the second of two leading up to the CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championships, which will take place in the Cayman Islands in January. Basinger was selected for the camp after excelling in the initial training camp last week in Carson, California. The defender will be competing for a spot on the U-20 roster for the upcoming CONCACAF World Cup Qualifier. The U-20 team is led by first year head coach Michelle French. Penn State head coach Erica Walsh will also have a role on the U-20 team, acting as an assistant coach for the youth squad.
"Brittany was one of the top players in the group at the November camp and has been identified as one of the best young defenders in the country," said Walsh. "She has all of the tools needed to represent our country at the international level."
Basinger turned in an exceptional freshman season for the Nittany Lions, starting all 23 matches and logging over 1,700 minutes for the Blue and White. The stalwart helped lead Penn State to six shutouts in 2013 and contributed on offense as well, tallying two assists. Basginer's efforts were recognized at the end of the regular season as she was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman team.
The U-23 camp will be held concurrently with the U-20 camp. It will be Hayes' first time training with the U-23 team; she was previously a member of the U-20 National Team that went on to win the 2012 FIFA U-20 World Cup and 2012 and 2010 CONCACAF U-20 Women's Championships.
"After a great college career, Maya is prepared to excel both in the professional league if she chooses or at the international level," said Walsh. "She has the benefit of competing in a few youth World Cups now, which is invaluable experience when going into the national team camp."
A semifinalist for the 2013 MAC Hermann Trophy, Hayes had a phenomenal senior campaign with the Blue and White. The senior finished second in the Big Ten and is eighth in the nation in goals and points with 19 and 44, respectively. Hayes claimed the No. 3 spot on Penn State's career goals and points lists after amassing 71 goals and 21 assists for 163 points during her time with the Nittany Lions. She leads all active Division I players in goals, ranks second in assist and is one of just 23 current athletes to register over 30 goals and 20 assists.
Joining Hayes at the U-23 camp is PSU alum Christine Nairn. A three-time NSCAA All-American and 2012 MAC Herman Trophy runner-up, Nairn helped lead the Lions to their first-ever National Championship in 2012. The Annapolis, Md. native was recently acquired by the NWSL's Washington Spirit after spending her rookie season with the Seattle Reign FC. Nairn started all 22 matches for the Reign during the 2013 season, tallying three goals and a team-leading five assists.
"Christine was obviously a tremendous player for us at Penn State and then she went on and had an exceptional rookie season out in Seattle," said Walsh. "We are excited to have her back on the East Coast in Washington, she could a very bright future with the national team and this is a great step in her career."
For more information on the U.S. U-20 and U-23 teams, please visit ussoccer.com/teams/youth.