Hatch to train with U.S. U-23 women's national team

PROVO, Utah – BYU junior forward Ashley Hatch has been selected to train with the U.S. U-23 women's national team in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, April 26 through May 3.

The camp includes 24 players all from NCAA teams. Hatch is one of three participants from the West Coast Conference joining midfielder Danielle Weatherholt of Santa Clara and goalkeeper Madalyn Schiffel of San Francisco. Hatch is also one of five players from a non-power five conference team to be in camp. It is her first national team experience, other than a small ID camp when she was younger. Hatch said she hasn't played with any of the other 23 players, but she has played against some of them.

"It means so much," Hatch said. "It's really an honor and I'm beyond excited for this opportunity to represent BYU and hopefully the U.S."

The camp will be used to evaluate players for the final 20-player roster that will travel to Norway in May for the Four Nations Tournament. The U.S. will face Sweden, England and Norway in group play beginning on May 27. 

In her sophomore season last fall, Hatch scored 18 goals and made six assists, including the first hat trick in nine years at BYU. Her 18 goals were the fifth most in a season in BYU history and the most since 2000. Hatch is already 12th in career goals scored, 13th in career points and 21st in career assists at BYU after two seasons. Only three other Cougars in the history of the program have more multiple-goal games than her.

"What an amazing opportunity for Ashley," BYU head coach Jennifer Rockwood said. "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."

Hatch is the first Cougar since Lindsi Cutshall to be selected to a national team while at BYU. Nadia Gomes, Carla Swensen and incoming freshman Sabrina Macias have U-19 and U-20 experience at the national level for Portugal, Colombia and the U.S., respectively. 

U.S. Soccer Release