Women?s Soccer Players Kika Hernandez and Isabella Echeverri Represent Colombia at U-20 South American Championships
1/17/2014 7:59:00 PM | Women's Soccer
TOLEDO, OH - University of Toledo women's soccer players Angelica Hernandez and Isabella Echeverri are currently representing Colombia at the Under-20 South American Women's Soccer Championships. The event is running from January 13-31 in Montevideo, capital of Uruguay.
Colombia is one of 10 countries competing in the sixth edition of the tournament, with the top two qualifiers advancing to this summer's U-20 Women's World Cup in Canada on Aug. 5-24.
The teams participating in the first phase of the tourney were divided into two groups of five. Colombia was paired with Brazil, Chile, Venezuela and host Uruguay, while the other group was made up of Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Paraguay and Peru.
Colombia has more than held its own thus far, winning its first two matches against Uruguay, 3-2, and Venezuela, 2-0. Hernandez and Echeverri started each of the first two contests and played all 90 minutes in the victories.
Colombia is scheduled to play Chile later today and Brazil on Sunday, Jan. 19.
"This is a tremendous opportunity for both Kika and Isa to play for their country," Toledo Head Coach Brad Evans said. "Nothing but positives can come from the both of them participating in this outstanding tournament. I'm excited that they are doing well and I hope it continues."
A sophomore on the UT soccer team, Hernandez started 13 of 18 matches this past fall. She totaled six points on the season (two goals, two assists), third-highest total on the team. Hernandez found the back of the net against Ball State (Oct. 18) and Ohio (Oct. 25), while being credited with assists in consecutive contests against nationally ranked Pepperdine (Sept. 8) and Indiana State (Sept. 20). The Bogota, Colombia native took 17 shots on goal, including a season-high three shots on two occasions against Youngstown State (Aug. 30) and Kent State (Oct. 27).
Echeverri sat out this past fall as a redshirt and will be eligible to compete this spring for the Rockets.
In international competition, Hernandez and Echeverri were teammates on the U-20 Colombia National Team that finished fourth at the 2012 South American Championship. Hernandez was also a member of the U-20 Colombia National Team that placed fourth at the 2011 Pan American Games.
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