Jan. 19, 2018

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia redshirt junior goalkeeper Carrera Lucas (Brooklandville, Md.) has been named to the 2018 United States Women’s National Development Squad, as announced by USWNT head coach Janneke Schopman.

Lucas is a two-time Longstreth/NFHCA All-South region second team selection. In her three seasons with the Cavaliers, she has appeared in 57 games, posting a .718 save percentage and a 35-12 record, including eight shutouts. This is her second stint on the USWNT National Development Squad after also being selected to the 2017 team last summer.

A total of 34 athletes attended a three-day trial that took place Sunday, January 14 to Tuesday, January 16 at Spooky Nook Sports in Lancaster, Pa. Of the pool of athletes that were recommended by their college coaches, those successful candidates produced a level of play that was much higher than in the past years.

The U.S. Women’s National Development Squad accounts for the transitional phase between the U-21 USWNT and the senior USWNT. Many of the trial attendees recently completed their final college season and no longer are permitted to be on the junior team due to age restrictions. Some of the players might be invited for an extended trial with the USWNT in the upcoming months.

“First of all, it was great to see how many athletes showed their interest in playing for the [U.S.] Women’s National Team by attending the trials,” Schopman said. “In the 3 days of the trial, the players were able to show us their potential in a mix of training sessions and game play against the [U.S.] Women’s National Team and the U-21 team.

“It was hard to make the final selection for the Development Team but I am convinced the selected group is very competitive. I am excited for them to get started and am looking forward to seeing the players’ growth in the next few months.”

The U.S. Women’s National Team Development Squad is led by the coaching staff of Jun Kentwell, Mark Atherton and Andrew Griffiths.

This year’s USWNT Development Squad has a busy beginning part of the year. This includes four training camps, either in Pennsylvania or Virginia, as they prepare for a tour to Chile from May 15-24. Following that trip, athletes will be reevaluated and, if ready, called up to the senior team starting in September.