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PROVO — BYU forward Ashley Hatch had a breakout year in college soccer last fall as a sophomore.
Her efforts were recognized Tuesday with a shot at the national team.
Hatch was one of 24 collegiate players called into training camp for the U.S. Under-23 women's national team from April 26-May 3 in Lakewood Ranch, Florida.
The team, which includes two other players from the West Coast Conference in Santa Clara midfielder Danielle Weatherholt and San Francisco goalkeeper Madalyn Schiffel, will train for several days as a final evaluation for the Four Nations Cup in Sarpsborg, Norway, against the U-23 sides from Sweden, Norway and England. The United States kicks off the tournament May 27 against Sweden.
"It means so much," Hatch said of the callup in a statement. "It's really an honor and I'm excited for this opportunity to represent BYU and hopefully the U.S."
Hatch is the first BYU soccer player called up by the U.S. national team since Lindsi Cutshall, who was named to the 20-player U-23 roster for the Four Nations Cup in 2013. Cutshall, a defender, currently plays for New Jersey-based Sky Blue FC in the National Women's Soccer League.
Hatch tallied 18 goals and six assists during a standout season last fall as a sophomore. The native of Gilbert, Arizona, tallied BYU's first hat trick in nine years with her three markers Oct. 9 against Portland. With two more years left of eligibility, Hatch is already the No. 12 all-time goal scorer in BYU women's soccer history.
"What an amazing opportunity for Ashley," BYU coach Jennifer Rockwood said in a statement. "She had a fantastic season last fall and has continued to develop over the past several months. Ashley has proven to be one of the elite forwards in D-I soccer and will now have the chance to train and compete with the top collegiate players in the country.
"We are very proud of all her accomplishments and know that she has prepared well for the upcoming national camp."
