University of Memphis women's soccer players Christabel Oduro and Kylie Davis represent Canada and Natalia Gomez-Junco is on the Mexico squad as the 2012 CONCACAF Under-20 Women's Championship is set to get underway on Thursday in Ciudad Panama, Panama.

 

"I am ecstatic for these three young ladies and the opportunities they have to not only represent their countries, but also the University of Memphis," head coach Brooks Monaghan said. "What an opportunity this is to play in the U-20 World Cup this summer. I can't think of three young ladies that are more deserving of this opportunity and I wish them nothing but the best."

 

Oduro and Davis trained with the Canada U-20 squad in Costa Rica over the last two weeks and the duo made the final roster of 20 players. Canada begins play on Thursday at 4 p.m. (CT) against Haiti. Canada's second match is against Jamaica on Saturday, March 3 at 6:30 p.m. (CT).

 

Gomez-Junco and the Mexico U-20 squad open play on Thursday at 6:30 pm. (CT) against Jamaica. Mexico's second match is scheduled for Saturday at 4 p.m. (CT) against Haiti. Rounding out group play, Canada and Mexico will square off Monday at 6:30 p.m. (CT).

 

"Canada and Mexico are in the same group and that will make for an interesting match on Monday," Monaghan said. "It will be hard to root for one or the other. I can't stress enough of how big of an honor this is. For this program to have three young ladies representing their country at this level is absolutely phenomenal."

 

The trio of players helped Memphis to a 22-1-1 record and a fifth-straight Conference USA Championship in 2011. Oduro, named a NSCAA All-American, led the team with 16 goals and 39 points and she was named the C-USA Offensive Player of the Year. Davis was named to the league's All-Freshman team after scoring two goals and registering five assists. Gomez-Junco's season was highlight by a hat trick against Tulsa and the freshman midfielder finished with eight goals and an assist.