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Wann named to U-20 Women’s National Soccer Team

Posted at 10:55 PM, Aug 08, 2012
and last updated 2012-08-09 06:56:39-04

RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) – Becca Wann was officially named to the 2012 U-20 Women’s National Team as announced by US Soccer Monday.

“The entire Richmond soccer community is proud and excited for Becca,” said head coach Peter Albright. “To be selected to the US National Team is the highest honor that a soccer player can have. The chance to put on a USA jersey and compete for a world championship must be indescribable. I am really proud of both Becca and of our program. That Richmond could be a launching pad for Becca in this way says a lot about our team and our University.”

Wann is one of 21 players that will represent the U.S. at the 2012 FIFA U-20 Women’s World  Cup held in Miyagi, Kobe, Saitama, Hiroshima and Tokyo, Japan from Aug. 19 through Sept. 8.  Wann made the final cut of 21 after being selected from a pool of  80 of the nation’s best players. Wann is one of six forwards on the team.

“I’m very excited to represent the University of Richmond in Japan,” said Wann. “I’m looking forward to the opportunity to play with some of the nation’s best players in while representing the U.S. at the World Cup.”

Wann spent the entire summer training with the team in California and Florida and was officially named to the team after the last domestic event in Bradenton, Fla. Richmond is one of the 13 different colleges represented on the roster.

“The National Team staff chose Becca because they felt she could be a difference maker,” said Albright. “They love her attitude, competitiveness and special soccer talents.

Wann will miss a month of the Spider soccer season, but will return to the team once World Cup play has ended.  Wann was named a first-team All-American and A-10 Most Outstanding Player of the Year in 2011. Wann led Richmond to its best season since 2002 and was 13th in the nation in goals (15).

From the official US Soccer release: Becca Wann (Chesterfield, Va.)
One of the two uncapped players on the roster, she made a late run to make the squad and adds tremendous athleticism (she plays soccer and basketball at Richmond) as well as a dangerous weapon on set plays due to her aerial dominance. She has scored 25 goals in two seasons for the Spiders.

The U.S. plays its first two matches at the Hiroshima Big Arch Stadium in Hiroshima, on Aug. 20 against Ghana at 4 p.m. local (3 a.m. ET) before facing China PR on Aug. 23 at 7 p.m. local (6 a.m.ET).