U.S. tops Sweden, England and Norway draw in opening matches of U-23 Four Nations Tournament

Norway’s Hege Hansen, right, scored Norway’s lone goal against England (photo by Astrid M. Nordhaug/Digitalsport)

Notre Dame forward Melissa Henderson scored two goals for the U.S. U-23 Women’s National Team in its 4-2 win Friday over Sweden at the Four Nations Tournament in La Manga, Spain. Sarah Hagen (UW-Milwaukee) and Casey Noguiera (Sky Blue FC) also scored for the U.S., while Sofia Jakobsson and Emma Berglund, who both play for Umeå IK, scored for Sweden.

In the other match Friday, Norway took a 1-0 lead in the sixth minute over England off a goal from Hege Hansen before Toni Duggan (Everton) pulled the Three Lions level two minutes into the second half. The match went to penalties, where England won, 5-3.  The U.S. will play England Sunday, the same day Norway takes on Sweden. On the final day of the tournament (March 1), Sweden plays England, and the U.S. goes against Norway.