March 4, 2009
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Santa Clara freshman goalkeeper Bianca Henninger was one of 18 players selected to the US Youth U20 Women's National Team roster for the 10 Nations Tournament from March 6-14, in La Manga, Spain.
During the nine-day trip to Spain, the US will play three U20 European teams. On March 9, they will take on Norway, on March 11, they will face France, and close out play on March 13, versus Germany, marking the U20's first international matches of this cycle.
Head coach Jillian Ellis is preparing the US to qualify for the 2010 FIFA U20 Women's World Cup.
"As always, these games will be part of an evaluation process," said Ellis. "It really gives me an opportunity to test players against some very talented international opposition. Many of them have experience at the international level, but of course this is a step up for the players who played in the U17 World Cup."
Henninger, who has been a member of the U14 through U20 Youth National Teams, concluded her freshman season at SCU this past fall. The Los Gatos, Calif. native capped off the season with WCC All-Freshman Team honors. The Bronco keeper played in seven games and started three in her debut season. She tallied 20 saves and one win versus Cal State Fullerton on Sept. 7, who was the then No. 21 ranked team in the country.
U.S. U-20 Women's National Team 10 Nations Tournament Roster
La Manga, Spain
March 6-14, 2009
GOALKEEPERS (2): Bianca Henniger (Santa Clara; Los Gatos, Calif.), Cat Parkhill (Minnesota; Apple Valley, Minn.)
DEFENDERS (5): Cloee Colohan (Black Diamond Park City SC; West Point, Utah), Camille Levin (Stanford; Newport Coast, Calif.), Kristie Mewis (SC Scorpions; Hanson, Mass.), Whitney Sharpe (UCLA; West Des Moines, Iowa), Brianne Young (Texas A&M; Castle Pines North, Colo.)
MIDFIELDERS (5): Zakiya Bywaters (Neusport SC; Las Vegas, Nev.), Alexis Harris (Dallas Texans; Plano, Texas), Mandy Laddish (Blue Valley Stars; Lee's Summit, Mo.), Samantha Mewis (SC Scorpions; Hanson, Mass.), Casey Short (Florida State; Naperville, Ill.)
FORWARDS (6): Vicki DiMartino (Albertson Fury; Massapequa, N.Y.), Maya Hayes (Aristics Club; West Orange, N.J.), Sydney Leroux (UCLA; Phoenix, Ariz.), Tiffany McCarty (Florida State; Laurel, Md.), Kealia Ohai (Utah Avalanche; Draper, Utah), Toni Pressley (Florida State; Melbourne, Fla.).
10 Nations U-20 Tournament Schedule
La Manga, Spain
March 9
Scotland vs. Denmark
Netherlands vs. England
France vs. Sweden
Norway vs. USA
Germany vs. Italy
March 11
USA vs. France
Denmark vs. Italy
Sweden vs. Netherlands
Germany vs. England
Norway vs. Scotland
March 13
Italy vs. Norway
Scotland vs. Sweden
USA vs. Germany
France vs. Netherlands
England vs. Denmark