Kranich, Mewis Headed to U-20 Women’s World Cup

New England natives Jami Kranich and Samantha Mewis are headed to the 2012 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Japan after earning spots on the 21-player U.S. U-20 Women’s National Team roster for the tournament.

The tournament takes place from Aug. 19 through Sept. 8 and the U.S., drawn into Group D, opens its tournament on Aug. 20 against Ghana at 4 p.m. local (3 a.m. ET) before facing China PR on Aug. 23 at 7 p.m. local (6 a.m. ET). The U.S. finishes group play on Aug. 27 against Germany at 4 p.m. local (3 a.m. ET). The U.S. and Germany have combined to win four of the five Under-20 Women’s World Cups held so far with the U.S. claiming the title in 2002 and 2008 and Germany grabbing it in 2004 and 2010.

Mewis, a native of Hanson, Massachusetts, completed her freshman year at UCLA. The 5-foot-11 midfielder tallied six goals and seven assists while playing all 21 games in her first season for the Bruins. Mewis leads the midfield in experience, having played in the 2008 U-17 FIFA Women’s World Cup in New Zealand and the 2010 U-20 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany. She has seven goals in 33 appearances for the U-20 team.

Samantha Mewis’ older sister, Kristen, is a senior captain for Boston College and plays for the New England Mutiny. Samantha also played in 2010 U-20 Women’s World Cup.

Kranich, a native of Hamden, Connecticut, is the starting goalkeeper at Villanova. Kranich is entering her junior year at Villanova. She made 75 saves and recorded a 1.78 goals against average while starting all 19 games in goal for the Wildcats as a sophomore. Kranich has played just one international match so far.

Roster by Position
GOALKEEPERS (3): Bryane Heaberlin (North Carolina; St. Petersburg, Fla.), Jami Kranich (Villanova; Hamden, Conn.), Abby Smith (Dallas Texans; Dallas, Texas)

DEFENDERS (6): Stephanie Amack (Mustang Blast; Pleasanton, Calif.), Crystal Dunn (North Carolina; Rockville Centre, N.Y.), Julie Johnston (Santa Clara; Mesa, Ariz.), Kassey Kallman (Florida State; Woodbury, Minn.), Mollie Pathman (Duke; Durham, N.C.), Cari Roccaro (Albertson Fury; East Islip, N.Y.)

MIDFIELDERS (6): Morgan Brian (Virginia; St. Simons Island, Ga.), Vanessa DiBernardo (Illinois; Naperville, Ill.), Sarah Killion (UCLA; Fort Wayne, Ind.), Mandy Laddish (Notre Dame; Lee’s Summit, Mo.), Samantha Mewis (UCLA; Hanson, Mass.), Taylor Schram (Penn State; Canonsburg, Pa.)

FORWARDS (6): Kelly Cobb (Duke; Chugiak, Alaska), Maya Hayes (Penn State; West Orange, N.J.), Kealia Ohai (North Carolina; Draper, Utah), Katie Stengel (Wake Forest; Melbourne, Fla.), Chioma Ubogagu (Stanford; Coppell, Texas), Becca Wann (Richmond; Chesterfield, Va.)