The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Soccer’s Smith helps U.S. Under-23 Women’s National Team to title
03.04.2015 | Soccer
Squad knocked off Japan, Norway and England in securing La Manga Tournament crown
AUSTIN, Texas —Texas goalkeeper Abby Smith recently helped the U.S. Under-23 Women's National Team secure the championship of the La Manga Tournament in La Manga, Spain, over Feb. 26-March 2.
Smith started and played all 90 minutes in goal during victories over Japan (1-0) and England (2-1), while fellow net minder Jane Campbell drew the other U.S. starting nod in a 2-0 triumph over Norway. Texas' standout keeper was required to make five total saves during the La Manga Tournament and registered a clean sheet in downing Team Japan.
The 22-player U.S. roster featured 14 professional players from the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).
In her next most recent stint last March with the U.S. U-23 Women's National Team, Smith helped the squad to the 2014 Six Nations Tournament title in La Manga, Spain. The Plano, Texas, native made five saves, while playing all 90 minutes between the pipes, in a 1-0 victory over Japan and one stop during Team USA's 2-1 triumph over Norway.
Previously in March of 2013, she helped the Under-23 WNT sweep the competition at the 2013 Four Nations Tournament in La Manga, Spain. Her shutout victory against Sweden and her three-save performance against England allowed the USA squad to claim the crown. The Four Nations championship marked the second consecutive international event that Smith helped the United States win, following the 2012 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Japan during the fall of 2012.
