Greensboro, NC-- The U15 Girls Navy team, part of the Greensboro United Soccer Association will represent the Southeast in the national tournament.
But to get to California the girls need a little financial help.
Two weekends ago, the team wrapped up a Southeast Regional Title where they competed against 11 other state champion teams. The U15 Girls Navy team clinched their spot in the national tournament that will be held in Sacramento, CA, after beating a team from Dallas.
Coach Julie Isley told News 2 that there are only three other teams in the country that can stand in their way from a national title.
Annalise Graves, a center midfielder and Greensboro native said, "It's so exciting I haven't even grasped it yet and I don't think it's really going to sync in until I get off the plane and I'm in California and I step onto the field."
Center forward and Stokesdale native, Hannah Van Eerden said, "I asked my friend, pinch me to see if I was dreaming cause I wasn't sure, is this real life? Did we really just make it to nationals?"
Isley said this team and this opportunity gives them a reason bigger than themselves to play soccer.
"These kids have such a winning mentality and such a sharp mentality it's almost like they don't even realize that they can lose, it's not an option," said Isley.
It's not just a competitive spirit that has gotten them so far. They rely on team bonding.
"We're all sisters, we're all so comfortable around each other, we're best friends, all of us. It's the best team I've ever been on," said Van Eerden.
The team told News 2 they're honored to represent the soccer club, Greensboro, and all of North Carolina.
The U15 Girls Navy team is an 18-player team made up of 15-year-old girls from across the Triad. The team is part of the Greensboro United Soccer Association club.
GUSA and the U15 Girls Navy team will represent US Youth Soccer Region III at the national championships in Sacramento, CA held July 11th-15th.
GUSA General Manager, Tim Nash told News 2 that this is a very rare opportunity but poses a financial struggle for the team.
The team has started a fundraising campaign to help cover the costs to get the 18 players and two coaches to California.
Isley told News 2 they have to raise roughly $15,000.
If you'd like to help the team get to California and represent the Greensboro United Soccer Association on a national stage, contact Tim Nash, General Manager of GUSA at tim@greensborounited.org or call 358-8030.
WFMY News 2