South Jersey native Emily Gray called into United States Women’s U20 team

After a standout rookie season at Virgina Tech, Washington Township, N.J. native Emily Gray has received a call-up to the United States Women’s U20 team for the Nike International Friendlies in Florida.

The Penn Fusion Academy alum and Washington Township High School graduate had a pair of goals and six assists in 22 appearances her first season in Blacksburg. She was named to the ACC All-Freshman team.

“This was one of my goals for the season as an individual, to be a part of the new U-20 cycle,” Gray was quoted saying in a news release. “So, just representing my country and putting on the crest is really important to me and it’s one of my long-term goals,”

Gray took most of the Hokies corner kicks this season, setting up several goals including the game-winner in a win over Villanova in a game at Talen Energy Stadium.

“Emily getting the call up to the national team and continuing with her progress with the U.S. is a tremendous accomplishment for her and well deserved,” Tech head women’s soccer coach Chugger Adair said in the news release. “I think she’s been dangerous and she’s been solid and played a lot of minutes for us this past year and it hasn’t gone unnoticed.”

Villanova freshman goalkeeper Hensley Hancuff was one of two goalkeepers called into the squad by head coach Keri Sarver. The Edmond, Oklahoma native was named to the Big East All-Freshman team for her performance in net for the Wildcats. She started 11 of Villanova’s matches in 2018, had one clean sheet and finished the season with a 1.13 goals against average.

The U.S. will take on France on Dec. 7 and China PR on Dec. 9, with both games set to kick off at 6:30 p.m. China will face France on Dec. 11 at 3 p.m. ET. All the matches will take place at the Premier Sports Campus and the USA’s two games will be streamed live on ussoccer.com, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Roster

GOALKEEPERS (2): Claudia Dickey (UNC; Charlotte, N.C.), Hensley Hancuff (Villanova; Edmond, Okla.)

DEFENDERS (6): Abby Allen (Lonestar SC; Austin, Texas), Maycee Bell (NC Courage Academy; Wichita, Kan.), Tori Hansen (NC Courage Academy; Raleigh, N.C.), Brianna Martinez (Notre Dame; Albuquerque, N.M.), Natalie Maurer (Richmond United; Glen Allen, Va.), Elaine Rouse (NC Courage Academy; Cary, N.C.)

MIDFIELDERS (6): Megan Bornkamp (Charlotte Soccer Academy; Mooresville, N.C.), Isabella Cook (Eclipse SC; Elmhurst, Ill.), Coriana Dyke (Colorado Rush; Littleton, Colo.), Emily Gray (Virginia Tech; Washington Township, N.J.), Brianna Pinto (UNC; Durham, N.C.), Sydney Simmons (Duke University; Van Alstyne, Texas)

FORWARDS (6): Jaelyn Eisenhart (LAFC Slammers; Henderson, Nev.), Lia Godfrey (United Soccer Alliance; Fleming Island, Fla.), Rebecca Jarrett (Virginia; Washington Township, Bergen County, N.J.), Samantha Kroeger (NYCFC; West Milford, N.J.), Alexa Spaanstra (Virginia; Brighton, Mich.), Reilyn Turner (So Cal Blues; Aliso Viejo, Calif.)