U.S. U-20 Women’s National Team draws 1-1 with Norway to open 12-Nations Tournament in La Manga, Spain

As the U.S. Under-23 Women’s National Team departed La Manga, Spain, after winning the Four Nations Tournament, the U.S. Under-20 Women’s National Team arrived to participate in the 12-Nations Tournament, a friendly competition in which each team will play three matches.

The USA opened its three-game run with a 1-1 draw against Norway as forward Amber Munerlyn scored the USA’s lone goal in the 69th minute. The young Americans almost had the victory sealed before Norway drew level on a goal in the 89th minute from Andrea Thun.

The U.S. goal came off Katie Cousins’ cross from the right wing. Munerlyn latched onto the ball, beat the ‘keeper and rolled the ball in from a tight angle on the right side. It was the first U-20 international goal for Munerlyn, who scored seven in 19 caps during her Under-17 career, including one in the 2012 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Azerbaijan.

Players born on or after Jan. 1, 1994, are age-eligible for the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, to be held in Canada. The U.S. roster features eight players who played in last year in Azerbaijan, including Morgan Stearns, went the distance in goal for the USA.

The USA will face Germany on March 9 and Sweden on March 11.

The other countries at this competition are Iceland, the Netherlands, Scotland, England, Italy, France, Denmark and Wales.

Match: U.S. Under-20 Women’s National Team vs. Norway
Date: March 7, 2013
Competition: 12-Nations Tournament
Venue: La Manga Club; La Manga, Spain
Weather: 63 degrees, cold, windy

Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA                         0 1 1
NOR                        0 1 1

USA – Amber Munerlyn (Katie Cousins) 62nd minute
NOR – Andrea Thun 89

Lineups:
USA: 24-Morgan Stearns; 15-Cari Roccaro, 3-Morgan Andrews, 7-Mandy Freeman, 12-Zoey Goralski; 20- Andi Sullivan, 6-Isabel Farrell (10-Rose Lavelle, 46), 11-Ashley Meier (4-Katie Cousins, 46); 8-Darian Jenkins (13- McKenzie Meehan, 64), 16-Amber Munerlyn, 2-Makenzy Doniak (14-Katie Naughton, 73)
Substitutions Not Used: 1-Jane Campbell, 5-Hanna Gardner, 9-Summer Green
Head coach: Michelle French

NOR: 1-Josephine Ervik, 2- Vilde Boe Risa, 4-Carlotta Fennefoss, 6- Lisa Fjellstad Naalsund (18-Therese Asland, 76), 7-Guro Bergsvand, 8-Guro Reiten (19-Amalie Velve Eikeland, 55), 9- Andrea Thun, 10- Synne Hanson (13-Cecilie R Kvamme, 55), 11-Mia Voltersvik (20-Maren Eithun Hauge, 64), 14-Andrine Tomter, 16-Nora Byom-Nilssen (15-Ingride Bakke, 86)
Substitutions Not Used: 5-Mali Lilleas, 12-Siri Ervik, 13-Cecille R Kvamme, 17-Hanna Maanum,
Head coach: Jarl Torske

Stats Summary: USA / NOR
Shots: 12 / 3
Shots on Goal: 9 / 3
Saves: 2 / 8
Corner Kicks: 7 / 0
Fouls: 1 / 8
Offside: 1 / 2

Misconduct Summary:
None

Officials:
Referee: Eliska Kramlova (CZE)
Assistant Referee 1: Gabriela Hanakova (CZE)
Assistant Referee 2: Petra Simmerova (CZE)
Fourth Official: Asa Olsson (SWE)