Carrera Lucas Named to USNT Development Squad

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June 21, 2017

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia field hockey redshirt junior goalie Carrera Lucas (Brooklandville, Md.) has been named to the U.S. Women’s National Development Squad, as announced by head coach Jun Kentwell.

Selections to the Development Squad National Camp, as well as the U-21 USWNT, came from the 2017 Young Women’s National Championship, which featured more than 130 of the most elite female collegiate and post-collegiate athletes from around the country. The event concluded on June 16 and the National Camp took place June 17-20.

To account for the transitional phase from the U-21 USWNT to the senior USWNT, the U.S. Women’s National Development Squad was introduced in November 2016 to nurture the talent of college students who no longer are permitted to be on the junior team due to age restrictions.

“I am pleased to welcome eight new players to the Development Team,” Kentwell said. “We will be looking to build on the progress the team has made and provide the opportunity for more players to follow Erin McCrudden and Carissa Vittese to challenge for places on the U.S. Women’s National Team.”

This coming year, the U.S. Women’s National Development Squad will continue to work on developing the players’ skills, vision and tactical understanding. This will hopefully give players the opportunity to play overseas and gain some international experience which is extremely important as athletes look to progress to the USWNT.

Additionally, sophomore striker Greta Ell (Plains, Pa.) was one of five athletes who has been offered a trial for a spot on the US U-21 team at the conclusion of the collegiate season.