June 1, 2009

Washington, D.C. - Georgetown University sophomore Kelly D'Ambrisi (Trumbull, Conn./Lauralton Hall Academy) was one of 24 players recently invited to a U-20 Women's National Team training camp by head coach Jillian Ellis. The training, held last week at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., is in preparation for the 2010 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup. The midfielder follows in the footsteps of teammate Ingrid Wells (Upper Montclair, N.J./Montclair) who helped the team win the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.

D'Ambrisi was a SoccerBuzz All-American and a Third Team All-BIG EAST selection after her first year at Georgetown. She also finished third on the team in assists while being tied for third in goals and points last season for the Hoyas. She had two helpers in her first collegiate game, an overtime win at American, and scored all of her goals in BIG EAST play, including the game-winner against Rutgers.

Thirteen of the players participated in the USA's training camp at The HDC in late April, but Ellis got a chance to see some new players as well as bringing back a few players that traveled to Spain for the La Manga tournament earlier this year. Some of those players included forward Sydney Leroux, the Golden Ball (MVP) and Golden Shoe (top scorer) winner at the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, where she helped the USA to the world title by scoring five times.

Ellis also called up five members of the USA's 2008 U-17 team that finished second in the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in New Zealand, including Golden Glove-winning goalkeeper Taylor Vancil, defender Crystal Dunn, midfielder Samantha Mewis, midfielder Elizabeth Eddy, and forward Courtney Verloo, who saw some action at defender during the last training camp.

Listed below is the full roster of invitees:

U.S. U-20 WNT Roster

GOALKEEPERS (3): Bianca Henninger (Santa Clara; Los Gatos, Calif.), Cat Parkhill (Minnesota; Apple Valley, Minn.), Taylor Vancil (Louisville; South Elgin, Ill.)

DEFENDERS (5): Zakiya Bywaters (Neusport SC; Las Vegas, Nev.), Crystal Dunn (Albertson SC; Rockville Centre, N.Y.), Cami Levin (Stanford; Newport Coast, Calif.), Bailey Powell (Georgia; Fayetteville), Toni Pressley (Florida State; Melbourne, Fla.)

MIDFIELDERS (9): Charney Burk (Portland; North Tuscan, Calif.), Kelly D'Ambrisi (Georgetown; Turnbull, Conn.), Katy Frierson (Auburn; Birmingham, Ala.), Maya Hayes (Aristics Club; West Orange, N.J.), Alev Kelter (Alaska Rush; Eagle River), Teresa Noyola (Stanford; Palo Alto, Caif.), Samantha Mewis (SC Scorpions; Hanson, Mass.), Jenna Richmond (McLean SC; Centreville, Va.), Beth West (Texas A & M; Centennial, Colo.)

FORWARDS (7): Lauren Alwine (Virginia; Elizabethtown, Pa.), Kim Castleberry (Dallas Texans; McKinney, Texas), Elizabeth Eddy (So Cal Blues; Costa Mesa, Calif.), Courtney Jones (North Carolina; Danville, Calif.), Sydney Leroux (UCLA; Phoenix, Ariz.), Tiffany McCarty (Laurel, Md.; Florida State), Courtney Verloo (South Side Strikers, Tualatin, Ore.)