BEAUMONT, Texas - Lamar University freshman Carina Leal has received the highest honor in her soccer career to this point as she has been invited to a national camp hosted by the United States Olympic Development Program. The camp will be at the Tournament SportsPlex of Tampa in Tampa, Fla. from January 27th-30th. There, she will train and play in a few games with the team.

The ODP is a program that's purpose is to identify talented youth players throughout the country and develop them through state, regional, and national team selections and competitions. The road to the ODP National Team goes from the state level where the top 18 players in each state association compete for a spot on the regional team. The four regional teams across the country play in an interregional event over Thanksgiving competing against each other and an opportunity to be selected to the National Camp.
 
Leal has been part of the ODP before. As a high schooler in Homestead, Fla., she led South Dade High School to two appearances on the South Regional team recognitions as a freshman and senior.

"Our staff is really proud of Carina and all that she has accomplished this year," said head coach Steve Holeman. "Being called into the ODP national camp is a huge honor and it will be a tremendous environment for her to compete in. Excited to see how she does at the next level in the ODP process."
 
This past season, Leal spent 1669 minutes on the field putting up three goals on just 20 shots including her first one against Grambling (8/19/21) and a penalty kick goal against Alcorn State (9/5/21). She also posted two assists for a total of eight points on the year.
 

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