Players Mentioned
Riley Invited to U-20 Training Camp
2/1/2013 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Riley received notification earlier this week that she was invited to the winter training session and will fly out to California on Saturday morning for the eight days of training with some of the nation's elite amateur women's soccer players.
"I was definitely excited when I received the invitation. It was unexpected but it is a great opportunity and I want to make the most out the trip," Riley said.
U.S. Soccer Women's Technical Director April Heinrichs selected a total of 24 players to attend the eight-day camp. Nine of the participants, including Riley, are currently on collegiate soccer teams, as she will be joined by players from programs such as UCLA, Notre Dame and North Carolina.
The camp is being held concurrently with the U.S. U-18 WNT training session, and the two squads will scrimmage on Feb. 5. The U.S. U-20 squad will also scrimmage UCLA on Feb. 8.
"I think that will really be able to develop as a player during this trip and return knowing a lot more about myself and my game," Riley said. "It is exciting to be training with some of the best players in the country and it will be a really great experience."
Riley had some prior experience with the U.S. Women's National Team development programs, attending a camp for the U-14 squad in 2009.
In high school, she was selected as a National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-American, one of only seven defenders nationally to earn a spot on the team.
Last season with the Pirates, Riley appeared in 17 games, making 14 starts on the Seton Hall back line. She was selected as the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week on Aug. 27, and collected her first collegiate point with an assist at Lehigh.
