CHICAGO (May 23, 2008) - The U.S. U-23 Women's National Team defeated German Women’s Bundesliga club Crailsheim by a 4-2 score on May 20 at the Schoneburgstadion in Crailsheim.

U.S. forward Allison Mallams started the USA off with a goal in the ninth minute assisted by Yael Averbuch, who would score of her own later in the match, one on each side of halftime. Crailsheim tied the game in the 22nd through Anika Hob, but eight minutes later, the USA took the lead again as Ella Masar tallied on an assist from Katie Larkin, and the Americans would lead the rest of the way.

Averbuch scored her first goal in the 38th minute off an assist from Lorraine Quinn, and then drilled a penalty kick home two minutes into the second half. The Germans added a late goal through Fanni Vago, but the USA then cruised to the victory, outshooting Crailsheim 15-9 for the game.

On May 22, the USA took on the Germany U-23 Women’s National Team in front of more than 5,000 fans in Wangen, Germany and came away with a hard fought 1-0 victory off a goal from forward Amanda Cinalli in the 26th minute. Defender Becky Sauerbrunn got the game-winning assist.

The USA will play another scrimmage before returning home on May 25. U.S. head coach Bill Irwin is preparing the squad for the 2008 Nordic Cup to be held in Sweden from July 15-21.

U.S. UNDER-23 WOMEN'S NATIONAL TEAM GAME REPORT

Match-up: USA U-23 vs. Germany U-23
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: Wangen, Germany
Date: May 22, 2008
Weather: Drizzle, cloudy – 62 degrees

Scoring Summary:   1   2   F
USA                              1   0   1
GER                              0   0   0

USA – Amanda Cinalli (Becky Sauerbrunn)           36th minute.

USA Lineup:
USA: 1-Val Henderson, 23-Nikki Krzysik, 4-Casey Moore, 5-Marisa Abegg (2-Elise Webber, 82), 16-Becky Sauerbrunn, 10-Yael Averbuch, 12-Kiki Bosio, 9-Kerri Hanks (11-Brittany Klein, 55); 15-Amanda Cinalli, 7-Ella Masar (20-Allison Mallams, 55), 14-Katy Larkin (Lorraine Quinn, 60)
.
Head Coach: Bill Irwin

Statistical Summary: USA / GER
Shots:                                13 / 13
Shots on Goal:                   9 / 10
Saves:                                  9 / 9
Corner Kicks:                      2 / 2
Fouls:                                 11 / 12
Offside:                                 3 / 2

Misconduct Summary:
USA – Yael Averbuch (caution) 26th minute,
USA – Marissa Abegg (caution) 58.