In a match-up of the world’s top two women’s youth national teams, Norway defeated the United States, 2-1, to take the 1998 Nordic Cup championship. The Nordic Cup is the world’s top competition for Under-20 women and is played annually in Northern Europe. The USA was looking for its second straight championship, having defeated Norway last year, 1-0, in sudden death overtime. But this summer, the U.S. could not find its finishing touch inside the penalty box, allowed goals early in both halves, then pulled a goal back late, but could not manufacture an equalizer. It was the first international loss for U.S. U-20 Head Coach Lauren Gregg in her two years with the team. The Americans out-shot Norway 14-9, but saw numerous attacks fizzle in the final third of the field under the weight of a well-organized Norwegian defense. Norway was much more efficient in its attacks, forcing U.S. goalkeeper Lakyesia Beene save seven of their nine shots. Norway opened the scoring against the run of play in the 14th minute. The U.S. lost possession in back and Hedda Haugland chipped a pass into Linda Ormen who finished from 10 yards out. “The team felt we played well enough to win,” said U.S. captain Michelle French. “All tournament we went forward well, but we struggled in the final third and that’s what happened today. I felt we had a stronger team this year, but in a championship game at this level, you only get a couple of quality chances. Norway finished, we didn’t.” Norway took a 2-0 lead in the 53rd minute when Dagny Mellgren scored a world-class goal, firing a rocket into the upper corner from 22 yards out. The USA pulled a goal back in the 70th minute as Susan Bush took a ball on the right flank and ran diagonally at Norway’s defense. She combined on a give-and-go with Jen Streiffer to get behind the defense, then drew the goalkeeper to the near post before slotting the ball on the ground to Cindy Parlow at the far post. The North Carolina all-America finished into the left corner from three yards out. The Americans had a golden chance to tie the game in the 85th minute, but a header by Laurie Schwoy was tipped off the crossbar by Norwegian goalkeeper Astrid Johannessen. This was the fifth trip to the Nordic Cup for the U.S. U-20s, and first time it had advanced to the final two years in a row. “Although we were disappointed in not repeating as Nordic Cup champions, to reach the final in back-to-back years is a real credit to this young team and promising for the future of the United States,” said U.S. coach Lauren Gregg. “The evolution of this team and of several individual players this year was tremendous… forwards Raven McDonald and Susan Bush, both in their first big international matches, had great tournaments and showed great promise.” Aug. 9 in Stadskanaal, Netherlands USA 1 Norway 2. Goals: Parlow 70; Ormen 14, Mellgren 53. USA — Beene, Grubb, R.Fair, L.Fair, French, McDowell (Schwoy, 46), Whelchel (Baggett, 65), Roberts (Confer, 18, McDonald, 57), Streiffer, Parlow, Clemens (Bush, 32). Norway — Johannessen, Baeroe, Engronningen (Bekkevold, 46), Bugge-Paulsen, Berg-Hansen (Stangeland, 73), Ormen (Moseby, 80), Haugland, Rapp, Mellgren, Nesset (Skarn, 84), Saethre. Att.: 250.