story by Sabrina Redlingshafer, video by Maddie Knopke and Sara-Jessica Dilks

Junior Dorian Bailey was selected to play for the under-17 United States Women’s National Soccer Team in September 2013.

According to Bailey, the girls chosen to be on the team are scouted by national team coaches at their club games and showcases.

“From there they get called into a national team camp, and if they do well, they will just continue to be invited,” Bailey said. “There are usually around 28 girls called into training camps, but for tournaments and games, they only bring 20 girls.”

Bailey has traveled with the national team to many countries, including Costa Rica, England and Jamaica, where the team recently played five games.

“We played Trinidad and Tobago first and won 8-0,” Bailey said. “Then we played Guatemala and won 7-0, and next we played Canada to decide the winner of our group (Group B), and we won 2-0. So then we played Mexico in the semifinals and tied 1-1 in regulation time. There was no overtime in the tournament, so it went straight to penalty kicks and we lost. To qualify for the U17 World Cup, you had to win your semifinal game, and so we didn’t qualify. Finally we played Jamaica and won 8-0.”

Bailey feels the many relationships she has gained while on the team are a benefit.

“It’s an honor to be on the team and to be able to play with such talented girls,” Bailey said. “I’m really lucky to be able to have these experiences and be able to work and play with great coaches and teammates.”