UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Four former Nittany Lions made their alma mater proud by representing their respective national teams on the global stage last week.
Alyssa Naeher, Erin McLeod, Laura Freigang and Raquel "Rocky" Rodriguez exemplified what Nittany Lions can do when performing on the world stage.
SheBelieves Cup
Alum Alyssa Naeher (2006-09) was the starting keeper for the U.S. Women's National Team in their second match of the SheBelieves Cup on Feb. 20.
Naeher made one save in her first match for club or country since Aug. 2, 2021. Her last match was the Olympic semifinal against Canada, during which she injured her knee and was forced out of the game in the 30th minute.
It proved to be a clean sheet performance for Naeher as the U.S. shutout New Zealand 5-0. The USWNT would go on to claim their fifth SheBelieves Cup and third consecutive tournament title.
Naeher is also a member of the NWSL club, Chicago Red Stars.
Arnold Clark Cup
Two former Nittany Lions were members of national teams featured in the Arnold Clark Cup.
Erin Mcleod (2004-05) was called up to the Canada National Team, although she did not see action at the cup.
Mcleod is a member of the NWSL's Orlando Pride alongside recent Penn State graduate Kerry Abello.
Laura Freigang, who played at Penn State from 2016-17, saw action with the German National Team. The midfielder subbed in the 78th minute for Germany in the cup's opening 1-1 draw with Spain.
CONCACAF W Qualifiers
As a member of the Costa Rica Women's National Football Team, Raquel "Rocky" Rodriguez scored two goals in Costa Rica's 6-0 win over U.S. Virgin Islands at the CONCACAF W Qualifiers group play match on Feb. 20 at St. Croix.
Rodriguez (2012-15) is also a member of the NWSL's Portland Thorns alongside recent Penn State graduate Sam Coffey.
UPCOMING
Thorns Preseason Tournament
The Portland Thorns FC will host a preseason tournament from March 5-11. The four-team invitational tournament features Thorns FC, the U.S. Under-23 Women's National Team, the Chicago Red Stars and OL Reign.
Thorns FC has two PSU alums, Raquel "Rocky" Rodriguez and Sam Coffey, while the Chicago Red Stars has alum Alyssa Naeher.
Three current Penn State players were called up to the U-23 WYNT; Payton Linnehan, Ally Schlegel and Kate Wiesner.
2022 NWSL Challenge Cup
The 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup will feature three regional groups of four teams kicking off March 18, 2022.
The East region includes NJ/NY Gotham FC (alums Ali Krieger and Ellie Jean), the North Carolina Courage (alum Frankie Tagliaferri), Orlando Pride (alums Erin McLeod and Kerry Abello) and the Washington Spirit.
The Central region features the Chicago Red Stars (alum Alyssa Naeher), Houston Dash (alum Emily Ogle), Kansas City Current (alums Mallory Weber, Maddie Nolf and Elizabeth Ball) and Racing Louisville FC.
Angel City FC, OL Reign, Portland Thorns FC (alums Rocky Rodriquez and Sam Coffey) and San Diego Wave FC (alum Kaleigh Riehl) make up the West region.
The groups will compete in double round-robin matches ahead of the semifinal round and the NWSL Challenge Cup Final on Saturday, May 7.
