USF's softball team will play the U.S. Olympic team in Clearwater in March as the Americans prepare for defense of their 2004 gold medal at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

The U.S. national team will play USF and four other teams in the USF Under Armour Invitational from March 6-8 at the EC Moore Complex in Clearwater. Bulls coach Ken Eriksen was the U.S. team's pitching coach when the Americans won the gold medal in 2004.

"We are very excited to once again host the best team in the world," USF head coach Ken Eriksen said. "They have chosen the tournament we put on in conjunction with the city of Clearwater and Under Armour because it has provided them with a great opportunity to prepare for the 2008 Beijing Games."

Eriksen pointed out that USF was the only college team to hold the U.S. team scoreless into the sixth inning in 2004.

"I hope we can challenge them again," he said. "It should be a great thrill and a measuring stick for our team. The women on the national team are great role models as players and, more importantly, as people."