LANCASTER, Pa. – Alexa Hoover, the most decorated player in the history of Penn Field Hockey, will turn in her Red and Blue for the Red, White, and Blue after earning a spot on the 2018 U.S. Women's National Development Squad following a three-day tryout at the USWNT headquarters in Lancaster, Pa.
 
The first Quakers to earn four career first-team All-Ivy selections, Hoover set the Penn program record for goals (68) and points (163) to move into fourth place all-time in Ivy League history in both categories.
 
"I am thrilled to see Alexa earn this opportunity," said Penn's head coach, Colleen Fink. "Obviously she had an amazing career at Penn, and it is so exciting that she is able to continue her playing career through this squad. Being selected to the National Development Squad leaves the door open for Alexa to eventually become a member of the Full National Team, which would be the ultimate honor, and so I couldn't be happier for her."

A two-time All-American and four-time All-Region selection, Hoover was the 2014 Ivy League Rookie of the Year and an ECAC All-Star during her storied career. This past season, she earned a selection to the 2017 NFHCA Senior All-Star Game.
 
34 players attended the tryout camp, with 21 earning a spot on the National Development Squad to remain in the player pool for potential call-up to the Senior Women's National Team.
 
"It was great to see how many athletes showed their interest in playing for the [U.S.] Women's National Team by attending the trials," commented Janneke Schopman, USWNT Head coach. "In the three days of the trial, the players were able to show us their potential in a mix of training sessions and game play against the [U.S.] Women's National Team and the U-21 team."
 
A total of 34 athletes attended the trial that took place Sunday, January 14 to Tuesday, January 16. Of the pool of athletes that were recommended by their college coaches, those successful candidates produced a level of play that was much higher than in the past years.  

"It was hard to make the final selection for the Development Team but I am convinced the selected group is very competitive," continued Schopman. "I am excited for them to get started and am looking forward to seeing the players' growth in the next few months."

The U.S. Women's National Team Development Squad is led by the coaching staff of Jun Kentwell, Mark Atherton and Andrew Griffiths.

This year's USWNT Development Squad has a busy beginning part of the year. This includes four training camps, either in Pennsylvania or Virginia, as they prepare for a tour to Chile from May 15-24. Following that trip, athletes will be reevaluated and, if ready, called up to the senior team starting in September.