July 27, 2010

SAN DIEGO, Calif. - University of San Diego junior defender Natalie Garcia has returned home after helping the Mexican national team reach the quarterfinals round of the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.

Garcia, a 5-7 defender from Valley Center, Calif., helped the Mexican National team achieve something they have never done before, reach the quarterfinals of the U-20 world cup. In each of its previous appearances at the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup (2002, 2006 and 2008), Mexico never made it out of the group stage. After almost four years without a win at the tournament (their last success was a 4-2 victory over Switzerland in 2006), the North Americans finally registered a priceless three points against England, also managing to keep a clean sheet for the very first time. The Las Aztecas dug deep on a rainy day in Augsburg to edge England out 1-0 in their first game of Group play, which meant that a draw in their final game would take Mexico through to the quarterfinals. At one stage it looked as if the Mexicans might miss out, trailing as they were to Nigeria with just minutes to go and with Japan firmly in command against England. Yet, Alina Garciamendez's late goal was all the CONCACAF side needed to check into the quarter-finals for the first time. Mexico then fell to the Korea Republic team 3-1 in the quarterfinal round.

However after a successful trip for the Mexican National U-20 Women's Team ,Garcia and her teammates have now returned home. Garcia and the Toreros will open their 2010 season on Aug. 20 with a 3 p.m. road match against the USC Trojans in Los Angeles.