ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - When the SheBelieves Cup kicks off this week, former UCF forward Lena Petermann will find herself in the United States once again - only instead of black and gold, she'll be donning Germany's black, red and yellow.
The Otterndorf, Germany, native was selected as one of 23 to represent Germany in the SheBelieves Cup, which will be held from March 3-9 at three venues in the southeastern United States. It is billed as the globe's premier women's soccer tournament staged in advance of the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
"It is always good competing with some of the best teams in the world," Petermann said via text. "These games will show what we need to work on with regard to the Olympic Games this summer. Personally, I hope to get some playing time."
Petermann, who suited up for the UCF women's soccer team during the 2013 season, left the Knights in the fall of 2014 to pursue her dream of competing with Germany's senior national team. She has since registered five international caps, including three 2015 FIFA World Cup matches.
Petermann received 2013 American Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year honors in her lone season as a Knight. She also was on the All-AAC First Team, AAC All-Rookie Team and the AAC All-Tournament Team that year. Petermann tallied eight goals and 20 points en route to helping the Knights claim the conference title.
In her first World Cup, Petermann tallied two goals and one assist over the span of her three appearances in Canada.
"It was such an amazing experience. Representing your country in a World Cup is an honor and I am so thankful for it," she said. "It felt great to score those goals. It took me some time to realize it. At the end, it was very unlucky for us, but still - nobody can take away all those fantastic moments on and off the field."
She signed a professional contract with German club SC Freiburg in the fall of 2014 after playing in the FIFA U20 World Cup. During the tournament, she netted three game-winners including the lone goal in the 98th minute of the title match vs. Nigeria to give Germany the trophy.
Petermann also competed for Germany in the 2010 and 2011 UEFA Women's U17 Championships and the 2010 FIFA U17 Women's World Cup.
She said that she still keeps in touch with friends she made while at UCF, including redshirt junior Kayla Adamek. The two reunited while Adamek was visiting home in Canada during the World Cup.
"We text every now and then and it's always fun to catch up," she said. "It was great seeing her at the World Cup!"
The USA is currently first in the FIFA Women's World Rankings. Germany is ranked second, France is third and England is fifth. The USA, Germany and England all advanced to semifinals of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup with Germany beating France in a quarterfinal penalty kick shootout to earn its spot in the last four.
Germany and the USA will square off in the final match at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN3. The two last met in the World Cup semifinal that saw the U.S. advance on a 2-0 victory. Petermann did not appear in that game.
| Date | Match | City | Time | TV |
| March 3 | GER vs FRA | Tampa | 5 p.m. | |
| March 3 | USA vs. ENG | Tampa | 7:30 p.m. | FS1 |
| March 6 | USA vs. FRA | Nashville | 3 p.m. | ESPN3 |
| March 6 | GER vs. ENG | Nashville | 5:30 p.m. | |
| March 9 | FRA vs. ENG | Boca Raton | 5 p.m. | |
| March 9 | USA vs. GER | Boca Raton | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN3 |
Story by Jenna Marina