The University Heights Academy Lady Blazers’ soccer team is only a few weeks away from a trip of the lifetime.
UHA is entered into the prestigious Gothia Cup, which will be held July 11-19 in Goteberg, Sweden.
Lady Blazers’ coach Michael Parker and senior midfielder Audrey Perry appeared on The Early Bird Show Tuesday morning. Parker said the Gothia Cup is a tournament for youths U11 to U18 that includes 1,926 teams from 76 nations.
The tournament started in 1975 with 275 teams from six nations. Parker brought a UHA boys’ team to the tournament in 2007 and since then the school is sent an invitation to play each year.
Parker said his team, which was 15-4 last season and most of its players returning this season, will see a huge difference in the competition level at the Cup.
Perry, who scored 23 goals and had 16 assists last season, said the team is excited to play in the tournament so they can play against top-notch competition.
Parker said the Lady Blazers will play in the U18 Girls division and will play in a group of four teams. The teams will play a round-robin and the top two teams move into a playoff bracket and the bottom two teams will move into a different bracket.
The veteran coach, who played in the tournament as a youth in 1987, said this trip is more than just about soccer as his team and several sets of parents also will have a week to sightsee in London from July 19-23.
The team is still accepting donations to help with the trip and anyone who would like to help can contact Parker at mikeparker6270@yahoo.com.
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