Dahlkemper, Doniak Head to Croatia with U.S. U-23 Women's National Team
February 16, 2016 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Western New York Flash News Release
ELMA, N.Y. - Western New York Flash defender Abby Dahlkemper and 2016 NWSL College Draft pick Makenzy Doniak have ben named to the U.S. Under-23 Women's National Team's 20-player roster that will travel to Croatia for its first overseas trip of the year to play three matches in the eight-team Istria Cup, which runs from March 2-7.
The USA opens the competition on March 2 against the full Slovenia Women's National Team, will face the Poland Under-19 Women's National Team on March 4 and finishes against the France National "B" Team. France's full Women's National Team will be competing in the SheBelieves Cup during that time in the United States.
Dahlkemper, 22, played in all 20 of the Flash's 2015 matches then went on loan to Adelaide United following her rookie NWSL season. Playing with the Australian club, Dahlkemper netted five goals and was named Adelaide's Player of the Year.
Doniak, 21, was selected with the Flash's second pick (No. 11 overall) during the 2016 NWSL College Draft in January. A standout at the University of Virginia, Doniak was one of the top-rated forwards in the 2016 draft after breaking nearly every scoring record for the Cavaliers. A three-time NSCAA All-American, she was named a MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist in both 2013 and 2014.
The other teams in the tournament are the full National Teams of Croatia, Slovakia and Northern Ireland, as well as the Hungary National "B" Team. Those four teams will play games against each other. The full Hungary Women's National Team will be competing in the Cyprus Cup during that time.
The U.S. will be coached by Janet Rayfield, who has called up 20 players to travel to central Europe, 11 of whom are already in the NWSL or preparing for their rookie seasons this spring. Eight are collegiate players while one has finished her college eligibility.
The roster includes nine players who have represented the USA in a FIFA Women's World Cup at the youth level.
U-23 Women's National Team Roster by Position:
GOALKEEPERS (2): Jane Campbell (Stanford; Kennesaw, Ga.), Katelyn Rowland (FC Kansas City; Vacaville, Calif.)
DEFENDERS (6): Abby Dahlkemper (Western New York Flash; Menlo Park, Calif.), Caprice Dydasco (Washington Spirit; Honolulu, Hawaii), Kayla Mills (USC; West Covina, Calif.), Katie Naughton (Chicago Red Stars; Elgin, Ill.), Erica Skroski (Sky Blue FC; Galloway, N.J.), Christen Westphal (Boston Breakers; Brecksville, Ohio)
MIDFIELDERS (8): Danielle Colaprico (Chicago Red Stars; Freehold, NJ.), Mandy Freeman (USC; West Covina, Calif.), Christina Gibbons (Duke; Raleigh, N.C.), Shea Groom (FC Kansas City; Liberty, Mo.), Rose Lavelle (Wisconsin; Cincinnati, Ohio), Havana Solaun (Seattle Reign; Gainesville, Fla.), Andi Sullivan (Stanford; Lorton, Va.), Samantha Witteman (Orlando Pride; Redondo Beach, Calif.)
FORWARDS (4): Makenzy Doniak (Western New York Flash; Chino Hills, Calif.), Tyler Lussi (Princeton; Lutherville, Md.), Toni Payne (Duke; Birmingham, Ala.), Taylor Smith (UCLA; Fort Worth, Texas)
• Discuss this story on the National Women's Soccer League message board...
National Women's Soccer League Stories from February 16, 2016
- Reign FC Havana Solaun Named to U-23 WNT Roster for Trip to Croatia - Seattle Reign FC
- Dahlkemper, Doniak Head to Croatia with U.S. U-23 Women's National Team - Western New York Flash
- Two Red Stars to Compete with U23 USWNT - Chicago Red Stars
- Defender Erica Skroski Named to U.S. U-23 WNT Roster for Istria Cup in Croatia - Sky Blue FC
- Matt Briggs and Milan Ivanovic Join FC Kansas City's Technical Staff - FC Kansas City
- Melissa Henderson Returns to Houston Dash - Houston Dash
- Boston Breakers Heading to Florida for 2016 Preseason - Boston Breakers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
