The Thousand Oaks, Calif. native will participate in her first international competitions next week.
April 3, 2012
By Jennifer Jones
jjones@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State women's soccer defender Lauren Lindstrom was called up to the United States Under-20 Women's National Team Training Camp, the U.S. Soccer organization announced Monday.
Lindstrom is one of six newcomers to the 25-player roster that qualified for the 2012 FIFA World Cup. Training Camp is being held at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. and will run April 9-15.
"Lauren has A+ physical attributes to be a defender at the highest level," said Bulldogs' head coach Brian Zwaschka. "She is fast, quick, powerful in the air and the tackle and she is fearless."
The Thousand Oaks, Calif. native finished her second season on the pitch for the Bulldogs playing 1,986 of the teams 1,996 minutes. Named first-team all-conference, Lindstrom finished top 10 on the team in five categories. All three of her goals in 2011 were game-winners. She also helped lead the 'Dogs defense that was ranked top 50 nationally for shutout percentage and finished with 10 shutouts.
"This is her second call-up, so it shows that she did well enough to make an impression in her first camp this past summer, which is very difficult to do a player's first time involved," said Zwaschka. "I know one of the things the U.S. staff likes about Lauren, which is critical for a World Cup Tournament format, is that she is quite versatile. She can play anywhere across a four-man backline, so that ability to cover and adjust can be priceless with a limited travel roster."
Lindstrom became the first Bulldog under Zwaschka to earn an invite to the U.S. U-20 National Team camp back in July of 2011. Over the course of her collegiate career, she has started 42 of 44 matches appeared in and has 13 points off three goals and seven assists.
According to
USSoccer.com, the U-20 Women's National Team will compete in two matches against China U-20 (April 9 and 15) in the Home Depot Center that are free and open to the public. Both matches begin at 3 p.m. The team is using the camps and international matches to prepare for the 2012 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Japan.
"She still has to prove herself at this camp and any subsequent camps to be ultimately chosen to be part of the World Cup squad," Zwaschka added. "Lauren knows this is a huge honor to be invited and she will fight for a place in the team. We are very proud of her and wish great success for Lauren and our U.S. Team."
"We Are Your Team!" There is still time to learn from the some of the best coaches in college soccer. The Bulldogs have a Residential Camp coming June 26-29. You can stay connected with Fresno State Athletics on Facebook (fresnostateathletics) and Twitter (@FSAthletics).
