Carson, California – The U.S. U18 WNT wrapped up training camp at the Home Depot Center with its only game of the week, a 1-1 draw against Ajax from the Women’s Premier Soccer League.

The game, played in three 30-minute periods, was used as an avenue to bring into fruition everything that Head Coach April Heinrichs had taught her girls during the week.

“What we saw was a backline that was moving well together,” Heinrichs said. “The forwards are always the hardest to come together, but we had some really good dynamic runs in the front.”

Two players who were producing those dynamic runs were Anna McClung and Kodi Lavrusky, who combined for the tying goal with minutes left in the game.

“Kodi made a great run, like she had been doing all night,” McClung said. “When I got the cross I took a touch around the defender, saw a slot between the far post and goalkeepers, and slotted it there.”

Even before Ajax took the lead, McClung, from southwestern Virginia and Lavrusky, from southern California, almost put the U.S. in front.

Lavrusky made a good run toward the byline where she cut the ball back to McClung inside the 18-yard box. McClung had a great strike at goal, but the ball struck the crossbar and sailed over.

“I think from the very beginning we talked about how to set the tempo fast and create some high pressure,” Lavrusky said.

Ajax did control the game physically, but as Heinrichs mentioned, both sets of U.S. backlines did a fantastic job in neutralizing the opposing offense. The goal was more a fluke as the ball slipped underneath the hands of the U.S. goalie.

The U.S. midfield seemed to have some difficulty finding its rhythm, but it didn’t disappoint Heinrichs.

“In a three-man midfield there are no wide midfielders,” she said. “However, I was pleased with the possession style and that we didn’t play too many long balls.”

The U.S. U18 WNT will be looking to reconvene for a third time this year during the summer.

U.S. U-18 WNT Roster By Position:
GOALKEEPERS (3): Caroline Casey (Virginia Rush; Chesapeake, Va.), Katelyn Rowland (San Juan; Vacaville, Calif.), Caroline Stanley (KCFC Intensity; Kansas City, Mo.).
DEFENDERS (5): Stephanie Amack (Mustang Blast; Pleasanton, Calif.), Laura Liedle (San Diego Surf; San Diego, Calif.), Margo McGinty (Albertson Fury; Levittown, N.Y.), Katie Naughton (Sockers FC; Arlington Heights, Ill.), Cari Roccaro (Albertson Fury; East Islip, N.Y.)
MIDFIELDERS (11): Kori Chapic (Cleveland Cobras; Russell, Ohio), Kaysie Clark (KCFC Intensity; Liberty, Mo.), Caprice Dydasco (Honolulu Bulls SC; Honolulu, Hawaii), Isabel Farrell (Crossfire; Bellevue, Wash.), Caroline Lindquist (Spartan Elite; Raleigh, N.C.), Ashley Meier (Cleveland Whitecaps; Strongsville, Ohio), Kate Speidel (Real So Cal; Oak Park, Calif.), Ashley Spivey (Baltimore Bays; Baltimore, Md.), Quynh Truong (Solar Red; Fort Worth, Texas), Danielle Weatherholt (So Cal Blues; Capistrano Beach, Calif.), Sandra Yu (Cleveland Futbol; Strongsville, Ohio)
FORWARDS (5): MaKenzy Doniak (Slammers FC; Chino Hills, Calif.), Anna Maria Gilbertson (Davis Legacy; Davis, Calif.), Kodi Lavrusky (Legends FC; Yucaipa, Calif.), Anna McClung (GSA Phoenix; Gate City, Va.), Kristen McNabb (PDA; Montville, N.J.)