Shorecrest junior Sonoma Kasica ‘24 has been invited to compete with the U.S. Under-17 Women’s Youth National Soccer Team February 10-19 in England. Kasica is one of 20 players who has been called up for the first action of the year for this age group, five of whom represented the USA at the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup in India last year. The U.S. team will play two matches against England’s Under-17 team at St. George’s Park in Burton upon Trent, England on February 15 and 18, 2023.
“This exposure for Sonoma is incredibly well-deserved, and we are so excited for her to show U.S. Soccer her skill and leadership ability first-hand,” says Chargers Varsity Girls Soccer Coach Skyler Ellenberg ‘14. “Sonoma has led our team to multiple State Championships, thanks to her outstanding saves, consistent growth, and confidence as a 2-year Captain.
“The fact that she will be missed during this trip is an understatement, and we will push through our remaining matches so that she can return to the team for another State Championship after a successful showing in England!”
As part of the invitation, Kasica will participate in an international training camp in Loughborough, England, from February 10–19, 2023. According to the United States Soccer Federation, “These camps play a vital role in her continuing development as one of the most talented young female soccer players in the United States and are an important step toward identifying a pool of players who will compete for future places on our Women’s National Teams, and maybe one day, in the FIFA World Cup and/or Olympic Games.”
At Shorecrest, Kasica serves as goalkeeper for the Chargers Varsity Girls Soccer Team, which ended the 2022 season as state runner-up. She also plays for Florida Premier FC, Elite Clubs National League. A multi-sport athlete, Kasica has won back-to-back state championships in javelin, and was invited to compete at the 2022 Nike Outdoor National Track Meet in Eugene, Oregon. Kasica has already committed to play soccer at the University of Notre Dame after graduating from Shorecrest in 2024.
“It’s the blend of a competitive spirit, with humility” says teacher and javelin coach Mark Brown said. “That duality to compete with yourself, and to continue to strive for greatness, combined with the humility and grace to stay hungry, it just does not come around very often.”
According to Shorecrest Head of Upper School Erich Schneider, “Sonoma has proven herself to be a leader not just on the soccer field, but also in the classrooms and halls of Shorecrest Preparatory School having served three years on Student Council and modeling our core values of Respect, Responsibility, Compassion, Integrity and Knowledge. Our entire faculty and student body is so proud that she will be representing us!”
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