Struble Heads Women’s USA Deaf Soccer Team at 2012 Deaf World Cup in Turkey

(PITTSBURGH, Pa.) – Carnegie Mellon University Head Women's Soccer Coach Yon Struble will coach the USA Deaf Soccer women's team in the Deaf World Cup, held in Ankara, Turkey July 16-28.

Struble was named the head coach of the women's United States Deaf National Team in April of last year and held a camp last July in Pittsburgh on the campus of Carnegie Mellon.

The women's field consists of five countries: USA, Russia, Germany, Japan and Poland. The teams will play against each other once, with the top two teams advancing to a championship match. The women have won the gold medal at the past two Deaflympics: Tapiei 2009 and Melbourne 2005.

Struble's team will take the field for its first action on Wednesday, July 18 when they play Russia.

Under international criteria, to be eligible to compete in deaf soccer competitions, players must have an average hearing loss of 55 decibels or more in the best ear. All players competing in deaf matches must remove all hearing aids before playing which creates another obstacle to overcome, balance - another important advantage for a hearing player.  The players are not permitted to wear any hearing aids or devices during competition.  Because of this, no whistles are used, only flags and a common courtesy with the opponent.

Struble will begin his third year at the helm of Carnegie Mellon's women's soccer program when camp opens for the Tartans in late August.  In his first two seasons, he has compiled an overall mark of 17-15 while coaching 12 All-University Athletic Association selections, and two-time Great Lakes All-Region honoree Elsa Wu.

To follow the team in Turkey, visit www.usdeafsoccer.com.