CARY, NC (February 7, 2022) – The North Carolina Courage are excited to announce that Abby Erceg and Katie Bowen have been named to the New Zealand roster for the 2022 SheBelieves Cup presented by Visa. The pair of defenders will be available for three group stage matches against Iceland, the United States, and the Czech Republic, taking place from Feb. 17-23. The contests will take place in two cities and two stadiums – Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, CA, and Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX.
Erceg is known for her dominance and leadership in the back line for both her country and for the North Carolina Courage. On the international side, the 32-year-old centerback has appeared in 144 matches for New Zealand’s national team, scoring 6 goals for the Kiwis. She has represented New Zealand in four World Cups and four Olympic Games, her most recent being the 2020 Games in Tokyo, Japan, in which she appeared in three matches against Australia, the United States, and Sweden.
A newcomer to the Courage roster but no stranger to the Football Ferns, Bowen also boasts a wealth of international experience. She was a member of New Zealand’s U-17 and U-20 national teams from 2008 to 2014, and in 2011, she received her first call up to New Zealand’s senior national team, making her debut in a match against Australia in May of that year. She has since totaled 59 appearances for the Kiwis, representing New Zealand in three World Cups and two Olympic Games, and most recently played in a friendly match on November 30.
More information on New Zealand’s roster and schedule can be found here.
