Joanna Lohman's goal 10 minutes into the second half provided the U.S. under-21 women's team a 1-0 victory over host Finland in its Nordic Cup opener on Monday. Lohman, an All-American midfielder at Penn State, took a long ball from defender Nandi Pryce off her chest, then toe-poked it past Finnish goalkeeper Liisa Luoto in the 55th minute. The Americans are seeking their fourth successive championship at the Nordic Cup, the world's premier event for U-21 women. ''We achieved our objective in a very tricky opening match, playing against Finland in Finland, while missing a couple of key players,'' U.S. coach Jerry Smith said. ''Our team showed great patience and discipline against a well-organized defensive effort by Finland.'' The U.S. team played without defender Cat Reddick and midfielder Aly Wagner, who arrived in Kaarina, Finland, from Blaine, Minn. — where they played in the U.S. national team's 4-0 win Sunday over Norway — just before the final whistle. There were few offensive opportunities in the match, and the teams managed a combined nine shots, only four of them on target. The Americans meet Denmark on Wednesday and Greece on Friday in Group A games. The final matches, including the championship, will be played Sunday. MONDAY'S SUMMARY July 22 at Kaarina, Finland Finland 0 United States 1. Goal: Lohman 55. Finland — Luoto; Kivisto, Kaaranen, Vaelma, Vahalahti; Saario, Karlsson (Suoreijus, 72), Julin (Maunula, 78), Nokso-Koivisto (Mattila, 58), Simonen; Thorn (Pirinen, 31). United States — Barnhart (Solo, 46); Marquand, LePeilbet, Pryce, Barr; Hawkins, Lohman, Lloyd; Welsh (McDowell, 66), Ramsey, Wallis. Yellow cards: United States: Lohman 61. Referee: Antonia Kokotu (Greece). Att.: 300. Other Group A score: Denmark 4 Greece 1. Group B scores: Sweden 2 Germany 2; Norway 4 Iceland 0.