Kansas University soccer coach Mark Francis helped guide the U-21 national women’s soccer team to its fifth straight Nordic Cup title in Randers, Denmark. Francis served as an aide under head coach, Chris Petrucelli of Texas.

The team began training in early July at the U.S. Soccer headquarters in Chula Vista, Calif. After exhibition games against affiliates of the WUSA league, the squad traveled to Brazil as part of an international tour.

After arriving in Denmark, the team opened pool play with consecutive victories over Denmark (1-0) and Iceland (3-0). In its third game, Team USA played to a 1-1 tie with Norway, but gained a berth in the championship match, where the U.S. posted a 2-1 victory over Sweden.

KU will open its soccer season against Northwestern at 5 p.m. Aug. 29 at SuperTarget Field.