US falls to seasoned Polish Senior Nat'l Team

Giving up five to 10 inches in height - and 5-10 years in age - at every position on the court tonight, the USA women fell 47-8 (27-5 at half) to Poland at the Chorzow Sport Hall.

The game, which was a late addition to the team's training plans in Poland this week, was never in question. A sold-out arena of 1,200 fans cheered the Polish side, and the game was broadcast live on PolSat television.

Poland, which finished 11th in the 2007 Women's World Championships, featured several players taller than 6'4" on a squad that is actively preparing for the 2009 Women's World Championships in Beijing in December.

In contrast, the USA rotated 15-year-old Sophie Fasold and 17-year-old Toni Ernst in goal; and also started two teenagers in Kate Louthan and Karoline Borg. Jennifer Haubrich led the USA with four goals, while Louthan, Borg, Julia Sayer and Taylor Proctor also tallied for the USA.

Following the game, Borg was taken to a local hospital for further evaluation of a foot injury which occurred when she fell awkwardly during the match.

The USA was not discouraged and resumes training on Wednesay for this weekend's Silesia Cup.  The USA takes on the U21 squads of Poland, Czech Republic and Norway at the Polish Olympic Training Center in the mountain resort community of Szczyrk.

Tags: Jennifer Fithian, Jennifer Haubrich, Karoline Borg, Sophie Fasold, Taylor Proctor, Toni Ernst