Feb. 9, 2004

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Stony Brook goalkeeper Cindy Bennett has been selected to attend the United States U-21 National Team Training Camp. She was one of a handful of players from the Region I team that were selected to attend the camp in Carson City, Calif. from February 16-22.

"This has been something that I had wanted to do ever since I started playing soccer," said Bennett. "I am proud to represent Stony Brook at the national camp and I look forward to training with some of the best players in the country."

In mid-January, Bennett was a member of the Region I squad that competed at the U-19 Interregional Event in Carson City, an event which pits the best teams in the nation from all four regions against each other. The Region I team, which is made up of players from the Northeast, won the gold medal in large part due to Bennett's play in goal. From that event, she was identified by U-21 National Team Coach Chris Petrucelli (University of Texas) and selected to try out for the U-21 National Team, a team will consist of the top 18 players in the country at that age level.

"To be selected from a pool of elite players from around the country is a tremendous accomplishment," said Stony Brook head coach Susan Ryan. "Cindy is not only a superior athlete and goalkeeper but also has a strong sense of character, work ethic and leadership. These are the attributes that the national coaches are looking for to represent our country."

Bennett will attend training camp from February 16-22 as one of 26 players that will participate in a training camp/evaluation period. At the completion of the week, a roster of 18 players will be chosen to represent the United States in a tournament in China.

Prior to attending Stony Brook, Bennett was a state team player for Michigan and made the Region II regional team. After enrolling at Stony Brook she made the New York State ODP team which then participated in the Region I camp. At the Region I camp, she performed well enough to be selected to the Region I team.

U.S. U-21 WNT Roster - NTC Training Camp; Carson, Calif. GOALKEEPERS (3): Nicole Barnhart (Stanford), Cindy Bennett (Stony Brook), Kate Taylor (Boston College); DEFENDERS (4): Keeley Dowling (Tennessee), Nandi Pryce (UCLA); Christie Shaner (Notre Dame), Carmen Watley (UNC); MIDFIELDERS (10): Jessie Bruch (Nebraska), Kelly Hammond (Virginia), Sarah Huffman (Virginia), Lindsey Huie (Portland), Carly Lloyd (Rutgers), Joanna Lohman (Penn State), Jill Oakes (UCLA), Juliane Sitch (DePaul), Nikki Thaden (Texas), Kacey White (UNC); FORWARDS (7): Ali Andrzejewski (Maryland), Jenny Farnenbaugh (Stanford), Tina Frimpong (Washington), Natasha Kai (Hawaii), Manya Makoski (Arizona State), Tiffany Weimer (Penn State), Kelly Wilson (Texas).