Cori Alexander recorded 11 shutouts with a 0.36 goals-against average for the Pilots in 2005

University of Portland junior goalkeeper Cori Alexander will look to make her international debut as she joins the U.S. Under-21 Women’s National Team when it travels to Europe for two matches in the Netherlands and one in Germany this week. 

The USA will play its first match on Saturday, April 29 in Tiel, Holland, against the Seastum women’s club. The U-21s will then face the full Dutch National Team on May 2 in Tiel before leaving for Germany. The USA will play the Duisburg club, a team in the women’s Bundesliga, on May 4.

Several players join Alexander in hopes of making their international debut with the U-21s; defender Lauren Switzer, midfielder Noelle Keselica, Rebecca Moros and Heath, and forwards Katie Griffin and Kelly Hammond.

U.S. head coach Jill Ellis continues the process of selecting a team to participate in the annual Nordic Cup, this coming summer in Norway.

The USA has won an unprecedented seven straight Nordic Cups against the top U-21 teams from Europe. Numerous players who are eligible for the next Nordic Cup are spending time with the full Women’s National Team and the U.S. Under-20 Women’s National Team, giving Ellis a chance to bring in some new players for evaluation.

Alexander put her name on the national map during Portland’s undefeated run to the 2005 national championship and in particular the College Cup. She made seven saves in a double overtime draw with Penn State in the semifinals and helped Portland advance to the title game with two saves during the PK shootout. Against UCLA in the championship game, Alexander recorded three saves as the Pilots won by a 4-0 margin over the Bruins, who are coached by Ellis.

University of Portland director of soccer Bill Irwin is also with the U-21s as a goalkeeper coach.

U.S. U-21 Women’s National Team – Netherlands Tour Roster

GOALKEEPERS (2): Cori Alexander (Portland), Kati Jo Spisak (Texas A & M);

DEFENDERS (5): Rachel Buehler (Stanford), Kendall Fletcher (UNC), Holly Gault (Kansas), Hayley Hunt (Stanford), Lauren Switzer (St. Charles, Ill.);

MIDFIELDERS (7): Bristyn Davis (UCLA), Tobin Heath (Basking Ridge, N.J.), Sarah Huffman (Virginia), Noelle Keselica (Virginia), Manya Makoski (Arizona State), Rebecca Moros (Duke), Jennifer Redmond (Morristown, N.J.);

FORWARDS (6): Danesha Adams (Shaker Heights, Ohio), Liz Bogus (Arizona State), Katie Griffin (Scottsdale, Ariz.), Kelly Hammond (Bowie, Md.), Ashlee Pistorius (Texas A&M), Tiffany Weimer (Penn State).