The University Heights Academy girls’ soccer team will have a lifetime of memories of their trip to Sweden and London last month.
Lady Blazers’ Head Coach Michael Parker and seniors Audrey Perry and AJ Oatts were visitors of the Early Bird Show on Monday morning and discussed the trip.
UHA played in the prestigious Gothia Cup, the largest youth soccer tournament in the world. Parker said 1,960 youth teams from 76 countries participated in the event, which was for boys and girls ages U11-U18.
The Lady Blazers played in the U18 Girls’ Division. Although they went 0-4 in the tournament, Parker said, he thinks his team will benefit from the experience.
The team’s overseas play a much more physical style of play and Perry said she thinks the Lady Blazers will be better this fall after their trip to the Gothia Cup.
After the tournament in Sweden, the team went to London for several days of sightseeing activities.
Oatts said she is thankful to have had the opportunity to have a trip like this with her teammates.
The Lady Blazers worked for nearly 18 months to raise money for the trip. They had a car wash, held a golf scramble, and had a middle school soccer tournament among other things to fundraise for the trip.
After playing games in Sweden each day the team would visit different locations in the country.
Parker said the trip was smooth and he was happy that the team was able to get to have this experience.
The team did get the approval of the KHSAA before attending the tournament. As a result of playing in the event, the team cannot play any scrimmage games and have a shortened regular season schedule.
UHA, which is one of the favorites to win the Region 2 title this fall, opens its regular season Aug. 11 at Greenwood.
Photo by Joe Wilson