VANCOUVER -- University of Dayton women's soccer players
Ashley Campbell and
Nicole Waters recently took part in the U-20 Canadian National Team Training Camp Dec.11-21.
Campbell and Waters, sophomores at Dayton, were two of the 22 players that were assembled for the training camp and are vying to make the team that will compete in the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Canada 2014 next summer.
"Most of the group has just come off an intense college season and now their focus can turn fully to the National Excel program and their development as international players," Team Canada Women's U-20 Coach Andrew Olivieri said. "With this last activity of 2013 we'll be aiming to complete the introduction phase of our national playing model and begin exploring some of the greater details that will increase our ability to create final acts."
Campbell and Waters had fitness testing the first day and in the following days had 2-a-day practices, and concluded with a game.
"We mainly just worked on attacking and defending within different parts of the field," said Campbell. "One of the main objectives of this camp was starting to build some chemistry within the team and for everyone to get a good understanding of the "DNA" of how our team will play."
Waters explained that the purpose of the camp is to prepare them, not only for the U-20 World Cup, but also offers opportunities for them to potentially be called up to the Canadian Senior National Team.
"I had an amazing experience in Vancouver and am looking forward to what's next," said Waters.
Leading up to the World Cup in August there will be four more team training camps, including a 3-4 week camp during June.
Both Campbell and Waters were also part of the team when it convened in Denmark in July and August.
This summer the pair was also selected to play for the Toronto Lady Lynx of the Central Conference of the W-League. Playing for the Lady Lynx and for the Dayton Flyers gives Campbell and Waters a chance to compete at the highest level to help prepare them for their goal of one day playing for the Canadian Senior Women's National Team.
Both have been crucial to the success of the Dayton women's soccer team over the last two seasons, which has included the 2013 Atlantic 10 Regular Season championship and a record of 28-9-4. Both were named to the 2012 A-10 All-Rookie Team and to the 2013 A-10 All-Championship Team.
Campbell, a 5-foot-8 forward from Bradford, Ontario, scored 18 goals her sophomore season on her way to being named the Atlantic 10 Offensive Player of the Year. She already has 30 goals in just two seasons at UD.
Waters, a 5-foot-5 midfielder fromTerra Cotta, Ontario, was named a 2013 A-10 First Team selection and led the nation in assists (17). She has 19 assists and nine goals in her two-year career for the Flyers.