Everett Joins U19 Team For Matches In New Zealand

By Rob Moseley
Editor, GoDucks.com
Photo: Eric Evans

EUGENE, Ore. – After playing big minutes and scoring big goals for the Oregon soccer team as a freshman last fall, Marissa Everett hopes to do the same later this month in her international debut.

Everett, who led the Ducks with four goals in 2015, departs Wednesday for a two-week trip to New Zealand with U.S. Soccer's U19 Women's National Team. The squad will practice together and then play three games against national team players from New Zealand.

In March and again in May, Everett was invited to participate in training camps with the U.S. U19 team. Those camps concluded with games against college or semi-pro teams, but the trip to New Zealand will provide another level of competition for Everett and her teammates.

“The other two camps were more about development,” Everett said. “This camp, where we actually play international games, we have to get results.”

In her debut collegiate season, Everett not only led the Ducks in goals but also shots with 37, helping her earn Pac-12 all-freshman-team honors. She had a penchant for stepping up in big moments, scoring a golden goal in overtime against Washington and the game-winner at Oregon State.

At the U19 training camp held in Chula Vista, Calif., in May, Everett scored twice in an intrasquad scrimmage. A goal in New Zealand would be beyond Everett's expectations for her upcoming trip, but she hopes to maximize whatever playing time she's able to earn.

“Just being there and practicing with the group of girls that's going is more than I could ever ask for,” Everett said.

The U.S. team travelling to New Zealand will include four other players from the Pac-12: defender Tierna Davidson and midfielder Jordan DiBiasi of Stanford, defender Ally Prisock of Southern California and midfielder Shannon Simon of Washington. The squad will face a group of young reserves from the New Zealand national team on June 14, then has two matches against New Zealand's U20 team, on June 17 and June 19.

Prisock of USC was also on hand with Everett for the March tryout camp, in Davis, Calif. At that event, Everett found out just how much growth she'd experienced during her freshman year with the Ducks.

“Oregon soccer has helped me so much,” Everett said. “I was so nervous when I first got called up (to the U19 camp), but when I got there I realized how ready I actually was. So I felt more comfortable, and a sense of belonging.”

By the same token, Everett said her national team experience should pay dividends when she rejoins the UO women for the start of their 2016 season this fall.

“I've matured a lot as a player,” Everett said, citing improved patience as a prime example. “I'm a wide forward, but in the past I've tended to kind of get sucked in (to the middle of the field). That narrows the field, and I lose a lot of options.

“I kind of have a better understanding of what my position asks for, and what coaches want out of my position. I think it's helped me.”