Chicago - University of Minnesota soccer senior Katie Bethke will travel to Germany later this month to play three matches with the United States U-23 Women's National Team.

Bethke was initially invited to camp with the U23 team last month, and now has been selected as one of 17 players that will make the trip to Germany to play. The initial camp invite included 24 of the top college players from across the nation, and was held the week of April 18 in Corvalis, Ore.

Head coach Bill Irwin has currently selected 17 players, with one roster spot still left to be determined. One player, Kelsey Davis, is currently playing professionally for the Chicago Red Stars while the rest of the team is made up of the top college players from around the country.

An Eau Claire, Wis. native, Bethke is one of five forwards on the team, joined by Danielle Foxhoven of Portland, Sarah Hagen of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Melissa Henderson of Notre Dame, and Christen Press of Stanford. The team also includes six midfielders, four defenders and two goalkeepers.

Bethke and her National Team teammates will play their three matches May 21-31, and will open play on May 24 against German club team TSG Wieseck, before also playing the German U-23 Women's National Team on May 26 and the South Korea U-20 National Team on May 29.

Entering her senior season in 2010, Bethke is coming off a career year as a junior. Last season she led Minnesota in goals and points with 11 and 29 respectively. Those numbers also ranked third each in the Big Ten rankings as Bethke earned Second Team All-Big Ten accolades and Third Team All-Region Laurels.

U.S. U-23 Women's National Team
GOALKEEPERS: Kelsey Davis (Chicago Red Stars; Thousands Oaks, Calif.), Alexa Gaul (Texas; Naperville, Ill.)
DEFENDERS: Lauren Barnes (UCLA; Upland, Calif.), Jackie Carron (Michigan; Rochester Hills, Mich.), Lauren Fowlkes (Notre Dame; Lee's Summit, Mo.), Mariah Nogueira (Stanford; Westminster, Calif.)
MIDFIELDERS: Katy Frierson (Auburn, Homewood, Ala.), Tori Huster (Florida State; Cincinnati, Ohio), Elli Reed (Portland; Park City, Utah); Rachel Shipley (Texas A&M; Plano, Texas), Ingrid Wells (Georgetown; Upper Montclair, N.J.), Kylie Wright (UCLA; Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.)
FORWARDS: Katie Bethke (Minnesota; Eau Claire, Wis.), Danielle Foxhoven (Portland; Littleton, Colo.); Sarah Hagen (Wisconsin-Milwaukee; Appleton, Wis.); Melissa Henderson (Notre Dame; Garland, Texas), Christen Press (Stanford; P.V. Estates, Calif.)

-UM-