Miami Duo Will Represent US in Cyprus Tournament
Feb. 27, 2008
<?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>CHICAGO – Freshmen Brittany Steinbruch and Brittany Macdonald have been chosen to join the U.S. Under-20 National Team in the Cyprus Women’s Cup 2008. Cyprus is an island nation southeast of Greece. The tournament will feature five full women’s national teams and will be played from March 5-12.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>
U.S. head coach Tony DiCicco will bring a total of 20 players to the tournament, giving him another chance to evaluate the players against top competition. The full national teams participating with the U.S. U-20 team will be Scotland, Canada, Russia, Japan and the Netherlands.
“I am very proud of these young women for creating an opportunity to make the U-20 national team,” said Miami Head Coach Tricia Taliaferro. “During the recruiting process both expressed the desire to play at the next level and believed Miami had the environment to help them achieve that goal.”
The USA opens against Scotland on March 5 in Group 2 play, then will face Russia in a non-tournament match on March 7, before finishing Group 2 play against the Netherlands on March 10. The placement matches will be played on March 12.
The U.S. U-20s are currently in preparations for qualifying for the 2008 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup to be held in Chile from Nov. 20-Dec 7.
In their first seasons as Hurricanes, Steinbruch and Macdonald led their team back into the top-25 rankings. With 16 goals, Steinbruch earned spots on the Soccer America and Soccerbuzz.com National All-Freshmen Teams, for her performance throughout the year. The Wyckoff, N.J. native also garnered All-ACC First Team and ACC Freshman of the year honors.
Macdonald helped Miami to a 1.35 goals against average in 2007, second-best all-time. The Littleton, Colo. native had a goal and an assist while starting all 21 matches for the Hurricanes.
Taliaferro added, “It is so exciting to see their hard work and dedication rewarded with this chance.”
Both Steinbruch and Macdonald were members of the 2007 All-ACC Academic Women’s Soccer Team. Of the 20 players on the U.S. roster eight are from ACC schools.
