USA U 19 Team Prepares to Defend World Championship Title -- Wednesday Cardinal Couple

ASIA DURR STILL OUT WITH INJURY AS TEAM GATHERS

Jeff Walz made the trip to Colorado Springs, CO a couple of days ago with one less Cardinal than originally expected...but the USA U 19 Women's basketball squad still looks to be a powerful force in the World Championships. 

Asia Durr, sidelined with a muscle injury, will not participate in the practices leading up to the trip to Spain and Russia or make the trip. She has been replaced on the roster by talented Ali Patberg...who will be a freshman at Notre Dame this fall. Durr also missed the 3x3 World Championships because of the injury and was replaced by Elizabethtown, KY star and Notre Dame commit Erin Boley. 

A groin injury can be painful but is generally not recurrent once properly healed. Get well for your freshman campaign at Louisville, Asia! This also goes to show what we've always surmised....it takes two Notre Dame recruits to fill in for one Louisville recruit.

(Get ready for the e-mails on that non-sequitur, Paulie and be sure to check back in tomorrow when Dr. Paulie discusses stubbed pinkies.)  

Mariya Moore is back for the U19 Squad and the Richmond, CA. native led Louisville in scoring as a freshman. She'll be looked to for leadership on a team that has six players who played D1 ball last season and six hoopsters that will play their first college season later this fall.


A'ja Wilson (South Carolina), Shakayla Thomas (FSU), Chatrice White (Illinois), Azura Stevens (Duke) and Gabbi Ortiz (Oklahoma) make up the part of the roster that has collegiate experience. Joining them are Patberg, Lauren Cox, Kristine Anigwe, Napheesa Collier, Katie Lou Samuelson and Crystal Dangerfield.

Dawn Staley, head coach of the squad is excited for the re-gathering...the squad had a 5 p.m. (MST) practice yesterday and will have practices twice a day the next three days at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Walz and University of Michigan head WBB coach Kim Barens Arico are assistants on the USA squad.

Staley on Durr and the addition of Patberg:


"Anytime a team loses someone like Asia Durr, someone who has had a lot of success in USA Basketball, it leaves a pretty big void. But, our country has the best players in the world and in adding Patberg to the team...we'll be just fine." 

The USA squad will depart for Spain and Russia on July 8th.

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ONTO THE FINALS! 

How about that USA Women's Soccer World Cup team's win over Germany 2-0 last night! Another shutout for the Americans...who haven't been scored on in about one million minutes of play.


After a scoreless first half, the USA girls survived a missed penalty kick by Germany in the second half and then was able to capitalize on their own penalty kick with a score by Carli Lloyd. Lloyd also had the assist that allowed reserve forward Kelly O'Hara to score later in the half. 


A bit of controversy on the ruling that allowed Lloyd to attempt the go-ahead shot for USA. No doubt about O'Hara's score, though. No officials' replay or review exists in World Cup action. 

USA awaits the winner of England and Japan tonight to see who they'll face in Sunday's title game.

paulie
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