March 9, 2018
CHICAGO - Two members of the Penn State women's soccer team will join the United States Under-23 Women's National Team for the 2018 Thorns Spring Invitational, March 11-17 in Portland, Oregon. Rising redshirt junior defenders Ellie Jean (Coventry, Conn.) and Kaleigh Riehl (Fairfax Station, Va.) are among the 24-member roster for the 2018 Thorns Spring Invitational.
The upcoming Thorns Spring Invitational marks the second U.S. U-23 WNT event for both Jean and Riehl in 2018. In January, the duo attended a week-long training camp in Carson, California. The 2018 Thorns Spring Invitational will be Jean's fifth appearance with U.S. U-23 WNT and it will be Riehl's sixth time with the U.S. U-23 WNT. The duo also took part in the Thorns Spring Invitational in 2017.
In 2017 for the Nittany Lions, Jean played in all 24 matches, which included 13 starts, and tallied four shot attempts.
During the 2017 Penn State women's soccer season, Riehl started all 24 contests on the Nittany Lion backline. Individually, Riehl led the team in minutes played (2,158) and she recorded her lone goal of the season in a 4-2 win at Arkansas on Aug. 25.
This past season, Riehl was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-Midwest Region Second Team and she received All-Big Ten Second Team honors.
The Thorns Spring Invitational will consist of three match days with the U.S. U-23 WNT taking on three NWSL teams.
The USA opens against the Houston Dash on Sunday, March 11 at 11:30 a.m. (PST) while the Portland Thorns FC take on the Chicago Red Stars at 5 p.m. (PST). On Wednesday, March 14, Chicago takes on Houston at 1:30 p.m. PT and the USA will face Portland at 7:30 p.m. (PST). The USA finishes against the Red Stars on Saturday, March 17 at 1:30 p.m. (PST) and Portland ends the tournament against Houston at 7:30 p.m. (PST).
2018 THORNS SPRING INVITATIONAL SCHEDULE -- All Games at Merlo Field; University of Portland
Sunday, March 11
U.S. U-23 WNT vs. Houston Dash 11:30 a.m. PST
Portland Thorns FC vs. Chicago Red Stars 5 p.m. PST
Wednesday, March 14
Chicago Red Stars vs. Houston Dash 1:30 p.m. PST
U.S. U-23 WNT vs. Portland Thorns FC 7:30 p.m. PST
Saturday, March 17
U.S. U-23 WNT vs. Chicago Red Stars 1:30 p.m. PST
Portland Thorns FC vs. Houston Dash 7:30 p.m. PST
U.S. U-23 WNT Roster by Position - 2018 Thorns Spring Invitational:
GOALKEEPERS (2): Ella Dederick (Washington State; Camarillo, Calif.), Bella Geist (Portland Thorns; Milwaukie, Ore.)
DEFENDERS (8): Julia Ashley (North Carolina; Verona, N.J.), Natalie Jacobs (USC; Coto de Caza, Calif.), Ellie Jean (Penn State; Coventry, Conn.), Hailie Mace (UCLA; Ventura, Calif.), Phoebe McClernon (Virginia; West Chester, Pa.), Tegan McGrady (Stanford; San Jose, Calif.), Kaleigh Riehl (Penn State; Fairfax Station, Va.), Samantha Staab (Clemson; San Diego. Calif.)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Dorian Bailey (North Carolina; Mission, Kan.), Jaye Boissiere (Stanford; Los Altos Hills, Calif.), Jordan DiBiasi (Stanford; Littleton, Colo.), Kristina Fisher (Miami; Jupiter, Fla.), Julie James (Baylor; Fairview, Tex.), Parker Roberts (Florida; Lakewood, Kan.), Ella Stevens (Duke; Grayson, Ga.)
FORWARDS (7): April Bockin (Minnesota; Eden Prairie, Minn.), Jamie Cheslik (Michigan State; Northville, Mich.), Tziarra King (N.C. State; Sicklerville, N.J.), Catarina Macario (Stanford; San Diego. Calif.), Kayla McCoy (Duke; Lincolnwood, Ill.), Paige Monaghan (Butler; Roxbury, N.J.), Morgan Weaver (Washington State; University Place, Wash.)