DURHAM, N.C. - After falling to Japan in the opening match of the two-game series, the U-20 Women’s National Team and Duke junior Mollie Pathman concluded the trip to Osaka, Japan with a 2-0 victory over the 2012 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup hosts.

Pathman, who started both matches on the defensive end, helped the U.S., squad hold Japan to only eight shots, including four on goal in the 2-0 win. The squad posted goals from forwards Maya Hayes and Chioma Ubogagu.

In the 1-0 loss, the U.S. U-20 team gave up a goal in the 81st minute and was outshot 12-8 in the match.

It was the first loss of the year for the U.S. U-20s who had gone a perfect 11-0-0 in international play prior to the match. A slightly sluggish U.S. side battled with the Japanese for 80 minutes before the home side scored the lone goal of the match as the hosts perhaps created a bit more danger over the course of the game.

The Japan goal came when a shot from outside the penalty area bounced off the crossbar and fell to an open Yoko Tanaka, who finished well to give her team what would be the winning score.

The USA has several chances to tie the game inside of the last five minutes but were denied by several quality saves from the Japanese goalkeeper and a sturdy defense that blocked a few dangerous shots inside the box.

The USA and Japan – both considered among the tournament favorites – will be participating in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup taking place at five venues in Japan from Aug. 19-Sept. 8. Japan was placed in Group A with Mexico, New Zealand and Switzerland. The USA was drawn into Group D with Ghana, Germany and China PR.

The Americans will have one more domestic training camp before the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, coming together in July in Florida.