The United States U-21 women’s national team opened the 1999 Nordic Cup with a 1-0 victory over Finland as a first-half goal from Jen Streiffer provided the winning margin in the world’s top competition for Under-21 women. Streiffer’s 20-yard strike in the 22nd minute flew from left to right and struck the net just inside the right post. The goal was all the USA would need as the American defense limited Finland to just three shots. Streiffer is playing in her third consecutive Nordic Cup. It was her goal in sudden death overtime against Norway in Denmark two summer’s ago that won the Nordic Cup for the USA, 1-0. “We were pleased with the result,” said U.S. coach Lauren Gregg, whose team sits second in Group 2 behind Denmark, which defeated Germany, 3-1. “Finland’s low pressure and condensed defense can be frustrating to play against, but our players stayed focused, got a goal and got the job done.” The USA was without star forward Susan Bush, who strained the MCL in her right knee during a scrimmage in the USA’s pre-Nordic Cup training camp in Pennsylvania. She will probably miss the USA’s next match against Germany on Aug. 4, but is expected back in the lineup against Denmark on Aug. 6. The group winners will play for the gold medal on Aug. 8. The Americans are trying to win back the Nordic Cup title, relinquished last year to Norway in a 2-1 loss in the title game. The U.S. defense, anchored by captain Michelle French and Danielle Slaton was stellar in shutting down the Finnish attack and allowing little opportunity to equalize. Goalkeeper Lakeysia Beene made two saves to earn the shutout. The match also featured Nordic Cup debuts from 18-year old Lauren Orlandos, 17-year old Veronica Zepeda and 17-year old Aleisha Cramer. “Our central midfield of Aly Wagner and Jen Streiffer really helped control the pace of the game and kept a rhythm for us against their direct style,” added Gregg. “Meredith Florance was a tremendous asset in the game. Her mobility really stretched their defense.” The USA faces what amounts to a “must-win” game against Germany on Wednesday as one loss will likely eliminate the Americans from title game contention. “Germany will be the most experienced team in the Nordic Cup with six players from their 1999 Women’s World Team,” said Gregg. “We’ll need to be organized defensively, prepared for the pace and keep doing what we are doing well. The key for the USA will be in dictating how the game is played.” In Group 1 action, Norway proved a rude guest in hammering host Iceland, 7-0, while Sweden downed Australia, 3-1. Aug. 2 in Stjorn, Iceland USA 1 Finland 0. Goal: Streiffer 22. USA — Beene, Fair, French, Orlandos, Slaton, Wagner, Grubb (Cramer, 46), Streiffer, Zepeda (Keller, 57), Florance, McDonald (James, 69). Finland — Levosalo, Julin, Thorn, Vaelma, Ylitalo, Ranta (Lind, 83), Simonen (Uusmalmi, 71), Tuominen, Laine, Heikari (Rantala, 68), Kalmari. Att.: 100.
Nordic Cup Scoreboard
GROUP 1 | TEAM | GP | W | T | L | GF | GA | P |
| Norway | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 3 |
| Sweden | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| Australia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Iceland | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
Aug. 2 — Iceland 0 Norway 7, Sweden 3 Australia 1.
Aug. 4 — Iceland vs. Sweden, Australia vs. Norway.
Aug. 6 — Norway vs. Sweden, Iceland vs. Australia.
GROUP 2 | TEAM | GP | W | T | L | GF | GA | P |
| Denmark | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| USA | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Finland | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Germany | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
Aug. 2 — USA 1 Finland 0, Denmark 3 Germany 1.
Aug. 4 — USA vs. Germany, Denmark vs. Finland.
Aug. 6 — USA vs. Denmark, Finland vs. Germany.
