Lisa Cole

There are very few ways to converse with foreigners who speak a completely different language, but luckily, there are universal mediums in which people from all over the world can communicate. 

One of those mediums is soccer.

The Penn State women's soccer team learned this and more when the Papua New Guinea U-20 National Team visited State College for a day of international bonding.

"It was an awesome experience to get to play with these girls," said junior Elizabeth Ball.

Shooting accuracy was a key factor in the games where there were many attempts at goal but the team couldn’t get the ball in the back of the net again to take the lead.

PNG U20 women’s coach Lisa Cole said there were plenty of good chances created by the team but we still lacked the finish touch.

Cole was impressed with the effort put in and  was proud to walk away with the draw.

“The team put in a good fight at the end of the game looking to get the win,” she added.

The forces behind starting the league are former women soccer players and individuals who are passionate about the sport. The all women board members comprise of Justice Catherine Davani, Jennifer Popat, business woman, Janet Sios; National Gaming Control Board chief executive officer, Imelda Agon, Dakan Doiwa and Richanda Kassman.

Coach Lisa Cole arrived with part of the team at 11am today while the rest arrived in the afternoon.

The PNG team has been training up at the National Sports Institute in Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province.

The tri-nation series is part of PNG’s preparations in the lead-up to hosting the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in November.

The series will be held at the Sir John Guise Stadium on the May 24, 27 and 30.

PNG will play Japan on Tuesday, May 24, with Japan taking on USA on the 27th. 

PNG will then play against USA on May 30.