PNG U20s start tour

By HENRY MORABANG
PAPUA New Guinea Under-20 women’s soccer team kick off their United States tour with a game against Seattle Pacific University Falcons at Interbay Stadium, Seattle, Washington, today.
The Falcons are a state college team in the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
Since arriving last Thursday, the girls have been in training for their international friendly soccer matches in preparation for November’s Fifa U20 Women’s World Cup in Port Moresby.
PNG women’s coach Lisa Cole said they girls have settled well and have been training very well in the new environment.
“The girls are looking forward for their first match against Seattle Pacific University Falcons today.
“We will give opportunities to all the women to get game time, work out who can play utility roles and decide on the team,” she said.
Cole said her coaching team and players would take the US trip seriously and would not take the games lightly.
“The results of the games — win or lose — are not important but getting our women involved in active competition in preparation for the World Cup is vital,” Cole said.
Seattle Pacific University coach Arby Busey said she has 29 players on her roster for this year’s season and will work out who will play against PNG.
She will rely on Maddie Krauss, Hannah Huesers, Haley Ayers Brook Holland to lead the team against PNG Under-20 women’s soccer team.
Schedule: Aug 15 – PNG vs Seattle Pacific; Aug 20 – PNG vs Lock Haven; Aug 23 – PNG vs Bucknell; Aug 26 – PNG vs Bloomsburg; Aug 30 – PNG vs St Francis; Sept 4 – PNG vs Georgetown; Sept 4 – Team returns