C. Wetzel (U-23 WNT)

Concludes Training Camp with USA U23 Squad

(May 3, 2010) - Courtney Wetzel, a senior defender on the Oregon State women’s soccer team, recently completed a week-long training session with the United States U23 Women’s National Team in Corvallis. Wetzel was one of 24 top collegiate players selected to the camp by head coach Bill Irwin

ldquo;The entire training experience with the team was amazing,” Wetzel said. “It was a terrific challenge playing with all the great players from around the country. Overall, it was a great learning experience and I enjoyed the opportunity to work with the coaches and other players in the camp.”

As part of the week-long training session, Wetzel had the opportunity to play in a pair of exhibition matches against Oregon State and Portland. Wetzel appeared in both matches as the senior connected on the game-winning assist in the national squad’s 2-1 victory over Portland to close out the week.

ldquo;It was just a great opportunity to be pushed by the players and coaches each day,” Wetzel said. “Playing with players you are normally playing against during the fall should really help me next season.”

For Wetzel, however, it was the opportunity to play against her own teammates that made the week special. “At first I was a little anxious to play against them,” Wetzel said. “I knew it was going to be a little weird, but once I got on the field it was just like another opponent. It was just a game that you are trying to win. I think everyone had fun with it.”

Wetzel and the national team defeated Oregon State, 1-0, in the exhibition match on a penalty kick in the 69th minute. Wetzel is among seven returning starters from the most successful squad in Oregon State women’s soccer history as the Beavers finished the season with a mark of 14-8-1 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2009 NCAA Women’s Soccer Championship.