Former Penn State soccer star Alyssa Naeher headed to Olympics with U.S. women’s national team

Former Penn State women’s soccer standout Alyssa Naeher is headed to the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics next month with the U.S. women’s national soccer team, U.S. Soccer announced Wednesday morning.

Naeher, 33, is making her second Olympic team. Five years ago, Naeher served as the backup goalkeeper behind Hope Solo at the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics.

But after Rio, Naeher ascended to the starting lineup, and she’s remained there since.

Most recently, Naeher was in goal for the 2019 World Cup, and she posted four shutouts in seven games, including a 2-0 victory over the Netherlands in the final to give the U.S. the title.

Naeher played for Penn State from 2006-09 and earned a host of honors for the Lions, including first-team All-America in 2007 and 2008; Big Ten Tournament Defensive MVP in 2008; Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2007; first-team All-Big Ten in 2007 and 2008; and plenty more.

#Tokyo2020 Here. We. Go! Honored and excited to represent ?? pic.twitter.com/uJ5Jq53kTh

— Alyssa Naeher (@AlyssaNaeher) June 23, 2021

The Bridgeport, Conn., native posted a 50-19-5 record for Penn State and posted 24 shutouts in her career.

Opening ceremonies for the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics, which were postponed from last summer because of the coronavirus pandemic, are scheduled for July 23. The U.S. women’s national soccer team is scheduled to begin play in the group stage against Sweden on July 21.

The U.S. is also scheduled to face New Zealand on July 24 and Australia on July 27.

The quarterfinals are scheduled for July 30 with the semifinals slated for Aug. 2. The bronze medal match will take place Aug. 5 with the gold medal match on tap for Aug. 6.