Colorado College women’s soccer will add another impressive chapter to its storied history in July 2015 when it competes as Team USA at the World University Games in Gwangju, Korea.

CC, which hosted the first collegiate championship in 1980, was selected by the U.S. International University Sports Federation (US-IUSF) as the first full collegiate women’s soccer team to represent the United States in the prestigious biennial event.

“This is such a great honor for our program and players,” Head Coach Geoff Bennett said. “It is every player and coach’s dream to wear the red, white and blue, and represent the United States in international competition. I know our players and staff will do everything in our power to represent the USA to
the best of our abilities.”

CC will send 20 current athletes or recent graduates, who will be among 16 sides competing in the 11-day tournament.

The Tigers, who celebrated their 30th season in the NCAA Division I ranks in 2014, claimed their first-ever postseason crown with a 3-0 victory over North Texas.

“The opportunity to have a top-ranked program like Colorado College representing the U.S. on the global stage will be a game changer for us,” said Craig Jonas, deputy head of USA Delegation. “Having a team that has played and practiced together for months leading into the games is an opportunity U.S. teams don’t normally get. The quality of competition will be unprecedented for the program.”

Colorado College made its 11th appearance overall in the national playoffs last fall, when it hosted Duke University. In addition to the two championship matches in ’86 and ’89, the Tigers reached the national semifinals five times during a remarkable stretch that produced eight consecutive NCAA bids from 1984 through 1991.