College players make strong contributions at U20 WNT camp

One of the great things about the US U20 Women’s National Team camp has been the presence of college players. Jillian Ellis’ decision to fill the camp roster with so many collegiate competitors has shown in the level of play.

Here are a few that have made a strong impact and left their imprint on the play through the week alongside younger stars like Zakiya Bywaters, Cloee Colohan, Tani Costa, Elizabeth Eddy, Olivia Klei and Courtney Verloo.

Teresa Noyola, Stanford: A former Gatorade National Player of the Year, Noyola is an absolute stud. She’s as good with the ball as anyone present at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California, and at 5-foot-3 she has quickness and shiftiness.

Noyola made her share of national teams while playing with the Mountain View Los Altos Soccer Club in Los Altos, California. She hit the ground running last year in her first year with the Cardinal, recording six goals and 10 assists while being named to the Pac-10 All-Freshman first team.

Bailey Powell, Georgia: She has ideal size for a centerback, standing 5-foot-11. Powell not only brings a physical presence but an understanding of where to be on the field. Her awareness helped disrupt a couple of goal attempts during a scrimmage Tuesday.

No stranger to the national pool, Powell is a product of Concorde Soccer Club (Atlanta, Georgia) where she led her team to a state cup in 2007.

Melinda Mercado, Oklahoma State:  She’s a centerback in the mold of Powell. Mercado is an exceptional athlete and former basketball star as well. She came up with Edmond Soccer Club in Oklahoma where her team was a two-time runner-up at Nationals.

Beth West, Texas A&M(w): West is special with the ball and displays great vision in finding her teammates. She’s been on past US women’s national teams and made an immediate impact with Texas A&M where she tallied five goals and eight assists in her first year.

West is a former Real Colorado player.

Shawna Gordon, Long Beach State: A product of the Arsenal, Gordon played for the U17 National Team and is a nifty goal scorer. She doesn’t always display explosive speed, but is technically sound and has a good feel around the goal. Also has good size and decent strength.

Jazmyne Avant, Florida: She’s an intense defender who stays active and fights for balls. She has a low center of gravity and doesn’t often get moved off the ball. Avant has past national team experience and was a strong contributor for the Gators at right back this past year. She’s a product of the D’Feeters Club in Texas.