Penn women's soccer's Ana Chevtchenko called up to Russian national team

-by Associate Sports Editor Colin Henderson

It may be the offseason for Penn women’s soccer, but at least one member of the Red and Blue is still getting ready to lace up her spikes and hit the pitch.

According to Penn Athletics, freshman midfielder Ana Chevtchenko has been called up to the Russian national team in preparation for two friendly matches against the United States squad over the next week.

Both matches will be held on American soil. The first will take place at 3:30 p.m. this Saturday at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Fla. The other gets underway at 7:30 p.m. the following Wednesday in Atlanta’s Georgia Dome.

It’s Chevtchenko’s second call-up to the Russian national team of the academic year — her first came in September for a World Cup qualifier against Germany.

“I am extremely happy that Ana is getting to represent her country against the U.S. women’s national team this week,” Penn coach Darren Ambrose said in a statement.

“Representing your country is the highest honor you can get in sports and is one Ana has worked hard to achieve,” he said. “We are proud of her and excited to see her compete against the United States.”

In addition to leading her high school team to two Oregon state championships, Chevtchenko — who holds both American and Russian citizenship — competed on Russian junior national teams throughout her youth soccer career. Ambrose knew the deal from the beginning.

“We knew in recruiting that her international career was important to her,” he said. “I think the experience she gains from it will help her in the college game and her time at Penn.”

Chevtchenko was plagued by injury throughout her freshman season, playing in only six of Penn’s 17 games. Due to her limited action, she failed to notch either a goal or an assist all season.

However, she will have a chance to make up for lost time and represent both her country and her college in her matches this week.