Auburn's Rivera and Richter Head to Florida with U-19 National Team

April 9, 2002

AUBURN- Auburn University's all-America goalkeeper Megan Rivera and head coach Karen Richter will join the Unites States Under-19 Women's National Team in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., to face Jamaica and Canada this weekend in pre-qualifying trial matches.

Rivera, a freshman on last year's Tiger team from Miami, Fla., is one of 20 players invited to the two-match trials for U.S. head coach Tracey Leone to decide who will make the final roster for the CONCACAF Qualifying Tournament for the first-ever Women's World Cup. The SEC Freshman of the Year is one of three goalkeepers on the roster for this weekend and will compete for one of 18 roster spots on the U.S. team.

''I am very excited about this opportunity,'' Rivera said. ''This is something that I have been looking forward too and hopefully I will play well and be able to continue with this team. I am also excited that will be able to play at the national level in front of my friends and family in South Florida.''

Richter, who enters her fourth year as Auburn's head coach, is a member of the coaching staff on the U.S. team. She will be with the team this weekend and for the qualifying tournament and World Cup.

The U.S. will face Jamaica on Friday at 9 a.m. CDT and Canada on Sunday at 11 a.m. CDT, gearing up for the qualifying tournament on May 7-11 in Trinadad & Tobago. The FIFA U-19 Women's World Cup Championship are August 17 -- Sept. 1 in Canada.

Rivera, who set Auburn's single-season saves and goals against records last season, is one of seven college freshman invited to the trials. There are also nine high school seniors, two high school juniors and two sophomores.