Ex-Sailor named to U.S. unit

Former Newport Harbor High girls’ soccer star Erin Hardy has been named to the under-20 women’s national team that will compete in the FIFA Under-20 World Championship, beginning Aug. 17 in Russia.

Hardy, who started as a freshman last fall for NCAA runner-up UCLA, is one of 21 players on the roster, selected by Coach Tim Schulz after evaluating players in close to 50 matches since January.

Hardy, a defender, will represent her country in the FIFA event, which continues through Sept. 3.

Hardy, a four-year starter and two-time All-CIF Southern Section honoree at Newport Harbor, impressed Schulz with her speed and quickness.

Hardy helped anchor a back line at UCLA last fall that helped the Bruins post 17 shutouts and allow only 12 goals in 26 games. The Bruins lost to Portland in the NCAA title game and finished 22-2-2.

Hardy was named to the Pac-10 Conference All-Freshman team.

She was also selected second-team All-Freshman by Soccer America and was on the West All-Freshman team selected by Soccer Buzz, an website dedicated to collegiate women’s soccer.

Hardy is one of five UCLA players on the squad and one of six Californians.

“It was an extremely difficult process because our country is very large and it is producing wonderful players,” Schulz said of selecting the team. “Each player [chosen] has shown high levels of the unique qualities needed for their positions and that is one of the main reasons they were selected.”

The tournament in Russia, the third FIFA world championship for youth women, marks the first time the competition will be played as an under-20 event.

The American women won the first Under-19 World Championship in Canada in 2002 and finished third at the 2004 under-19 event held in Thailand.

A random draw placed Team USA into Group D, which also includes Argentina, France and Congo.

The 16-team tournament, held in four Russian venues, will also include Russia, Australia, China, North Korea, Nigeria, Mexico, Canada, Brazil, Switzerland, Germany, Finland and New Zealand.

The team is taking part in a training camp this week at the Home Depot Center in Carson.