The U.S. under-21 women’s national team defeated Germany, 1-0, on Aug. 3 in Weismain, Germany, to win its second straight Nordic Cup and its third in four years. North Carolina midfielder Jena Kluegel provided the lone goal with a bending drive from just outside the penalty box in the 63rd minute. The attack developed as BYU-bound Aleisha Cramer scooped the ball over the German defense on the left flank to the cutting Kim Patrick, Kluegel’s UNC teammate, who pivoted to hit a high cross into the middle. German goalkeeper Corinna Ernst came out hard to punch the ball, but it bounced to the top of the penalty box just right of center and Kluegel hit it first time with her left foot, sticking the rising shot it into the left corner. The United States played without Connecticut forward Mary-Frances Monroe, who was suspended for the final after receiving a red card in the Aug. 1 win over Finland. “I’m so proud of this team,” said U.S U-21 coach Jillian Ellis, whose team featured 13 players competing in the Nordic Cup for the first time. “They overcame tremendous adversity in this tournament and showed exceptional mental toughness to play four draining games in seven days. The final today was the kind of match that prepares our players to step into the full national team environment.” “It was a game worthy of a final,” Kluegel said. “They put a lot of pressure on us at the end, but everyone held tough. We took this tournament game by game and that worked for us. This is a great group of girls and they deserve to be champions.” “Germany matched us all over the field,” added Ellis. “We have great respect for them and they have so many talented players. I think everyone saw an impressive show of how tough, strong and physical the women’s game can be, while at the same time being attractive and attacking.” The win marked the fourth Nordic Cup title for the U.S. women’s national team programs, having also won in 1999, 1997 and 1993. French, Cramer, Wagner, Bush and Veronica Zepeda, all members of last year’s Nordic Cup championship team, become the only U.S. players to win back-to-back titles. Seventeen of the 18 players on the U.S. roster will begin preseason training camp with their college teams next week. Earlier in the day, Norway beat Finland, 2-1, in the third-place match. Over in Coburg, Germany, Sweden blanked Iceland, 1-0, to take fifth place and Denmark needed penalties to beat Switzerland, 5-3, after the two teams tied 1-1, to take seventh place. Nordic Cup Final Aug. 3 in Weismain, Germany Germany 0 United States 1. Goal: Kluegel 63. Germany — Ernst, Fellmann (Fuss, 64), Kunzer, Zerbe, Prior (N. Muller, 86th), Wilder, Lindner (Worle, 73), Gotte, Eigner, M. Muller, Pohlers (Meier, 80). USA — Branam, Kraus, Pryce, Borgman, French, Cramer, Wagner, Kluegel, Welsh (Patrick, 59), Bush, Ramsey (Wallis, 70, Reddick, 82). Misconduct Summary: Germany — Gotte (caution) 32; USA — Bush (caution) 93+. Ref.: Seija Raatikaninen (Finland). Att.: 2,000.