GREENSBORO, N.C. –
UNCG freshman goalkeeper Jamie Simmons has earned an invitation to the U.S.
Goalkeeping National Training Camp held in Chula Vista, Calif., Dec. 7-10.
“I am very excited for Jamie and she is very deserving of
this prestigious honor,” said UNCG coach Steve Nugent. “Our players at UNCG aspire to play at the
highest level possible, and this will give Jamie the best chance to do that. The opportunity to showcase your skills as a
top-level goalkeeper doesn't come around often.
Jamie is focused on doing her best over the four-day camp. We wish her the best of luck as she pursues
the dream of playing for the United States one day.”
The purpose of the first-ever youth camp is to identify and
evaluate the best goalkeepers from the 1994 and 1995 birth years to compete for
the 2014 U-20 Women’s World Cup Team. Only five goalkeepers from college were
chosen: Simmons, Caroline Casey (William & Mary), Andi Tostanoski (Santa
Clara), Jordan Brown (Tennessee Tech) and Jillian McVicker (Ohio State).
“This new camp shows the great lengths that U.S. Soccer is
going through to identify the top talent in the U.S.,” added Nugent. “Our
women's team has a long history of very successful goalkeepers and this new
concept will increase the competitive level of the position and ultimately lead
to even more success on the field. I applaud what (U.S. Soccer Women’s
Technical Director) April Heinrichs and her team of highly competent goalkeeper
coaches will be working toward in Chula Vista this coming week.”
Simmons earned second team All-Southern Conference honors
after posting an impressive 1.05 goals against average with 97 saves and eight
shutouts in 20 games played for UNCG in 2012. The Houston, Texas, native was
ranked in the top five in five different statistical categories in the SoCon.
She posted six straight shutouts to help the Spartans clinch the SoCon
regular-season title after allowing just six goals in 11 conference matches.
“I am honored to be getting the chance to represent UNCG at
the highest level of competition,” said Simmons. “I am very excited for this
opportunity and feel that this year at UNCG has prepared me mentally and
physically to be able to compete at the highest level. My team has supported
me, and I have learned a lot from my teammates that has given me confidence in
my ability to play.”
Simmons was a two-time SoCon player of the week award winner
and honored as the SoCon player of the month for October, when she held an impressive
shutout streak of 589 minutes.
The Spartans finished the 2012 campaign with a 12-7-1 record
that included a 9-1-1 league mark, leading to their ninth SoCon regular-season
title.