U.S. U-23 Women’s National Team defeats Norway 4-1 to win Three Nations Tournament
The U.S. Under-23 Women’s National Team scored three first half goals and added one late to roll past the Norway U-23 Women’s National Team 4-1 and win the Three Nations Tournament. The USA tied Sweden 1-1 two days ago and that result combined with Norway’s 4-2 victory against Sweden on June 13 gave the USA the tournament title.
The USA got goals from four different players and opened the scoring in the 19th minute through forward Sarah Hagen, who is currently playing her club soccer with Bayern Munich in the German Women’s Bundesliga.
Hagen’s ninth international goal at the U-23 level in just 12 caps came after a poorly played goal kick by Norway goalkeeper Hilde Gunn Olsen went right to her with space to dribble at goal. She took full advantage of the give-away to finish smartly into the lower left corner from 12 yards and give the USA a 1-0 lead.
Norway pulled a goal back four minutes later after a miscommunication and loss of possession by the U.S. defense let Line Holter get into a dangerous spot and she slipped her shot through the legs of U.S. and Oklahoma State goalkeeper Adrianna Franch to equalize.
The USA wasted little time getting the lead back as current Boston Breaker Amanda DaCosta made it 2-1 in the 31st minute. Olsen made a first save on a U.S. shot at the edge of the six-yard box and deflected it to Santa Clara striker Morgan Marlborough who passed to DaCosta for the 12-yard finish.
Two minutes later, Marlborough added a goal of her own, dribbling down the right side before attempting a cross into the box that instead curved right into the net.
The USA, which out-shot Norway 15-7, added a final goal three minutes from time as substitute Courtney Verloo, who had come into the game just four minutes earlier, got free on a breakaway in the 87th minute. As Olsen came out to challenge Verloo, the Stanford star rounded her and played a pass into the penalty area for Western New York Flash forward Stephanie Ochs to finish into the upper left corner.
“Obviously I’m really excited to win the event and our performance looked so much better,” said U.S. head coach Randy Waldrum. “Every day we’ve trained together we’ve gotten better and I think from the performance against Sweden to today’s performance against Norway, there was a huge improvement in the way the team played. I thought we managed the game really well in all aspects, especially when we got the lead going into halftime. The girls remained professional in the way they handled and managed the game in the second half and I’m really proud of them.”
The USA will face will finish its trip with a friendly match against Norway on June 19 at Overlands Minde Stadium in Stjordalen.
Match: United States U-23 Women’s National Team vs. Norway U-23 Women’s National Team
Date: June 17, 2012
Competition: Three Nations Tournament
Venue: Overlands Minde, Stjordalen, Norway
Weather: 60 degrees, intermittent rain/sun
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 3 1 4
NOR 1 0 1
USA – Sarah Hagen 19th minute
NOR – Line Holter 23
USA – Amanda DaCosta (Morgan Marlborough) 31
USA – Morgan Marlborough 33
USA – Stephanie Ochs (Courtney Verloo) 87
Lineups:
USA: 1-Adrianna Franch; 2-Elli Reed (4-Gabby Toulouse, 70); 3-Camille Levin, 14-Natasha Anasi, 5-Toni Pressley; 6-Amanda DaCosta 7-Christine Nairn, 8-Amber Brooks (capt.), 9-Ingrid Wells (13-Meleana Shim, 67); 10-Morgan Marlborough (11-Stephanie Ochs, 75), 12-Sarah Hagen (15-Courtney Verloo, 79)
Subs not used: 18-Brittany Anghel
Head Coach: Randy Waldrum
NOR: 12-Hilde Gunn Olsen; 2-Astrid G. Ree, 3-Caroline Walde, 4-Gunhild R. Herregarden (capt.) 14-Cecilie B. Liane; 7-Line Holter, 8-Trine Lise Avik, 9-Ida Elise Enget, 11-Oda B. Fugelsnes (16-Camilla Christensen, 69); 10-Andrea Haugstol (6-Ina Skaug, 69), 18-Tina Algroy (17-Julie Adsero, 84)
Subs not used: 1- Ane Fimreite, 5-Anette Tengesdal
Head Coach: Goril Kringen
Stats Summary: USA / NOR
Shots: 16 / 7
Shots on Goal: 8 / 3
Saves: 2 / 4
Corner Kicks: 6 / 5
Fouls: 5 / 9
Offside: 1 / 1
Misconduct Summary:
None
