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District titles up in the air

Phillips prepares for national stage

Peabody keeper names to U.S. National Soccer Team

by Gary Trask

Ashley Phillips knew she had hit it big time when they asked about her shoes.

“They called me the other day and asked me what kind of cleats I wear,” laughed Phillips in reference to the directors of the United States Under-16 Girls’ National Soccer Team. “When I told them I wear adidas they said ‘Oh no. We have to send you some Nike. They’re our sponsor.’ They asked me what size I wear and they’re going to send me a whole box of everything from cleats and sandals to warm-up pants and t-shirts. It’s kind of cool.”

Such is the life of a big-time athlete. And that is exactly what Phillips has become since the 16-year-old Peabody native was named to the prestigious national squad that will compete against some of the top teams in the world later this month at the U.S. Soccer Festival in Houston, Texas.

Phillips, a 5-foot-8 goaltender who will transfer from Bishop Fenwick to Milton Academy this fall for her junior year, was one of 23 players to qualify for the Massachusetts State team last fall.

From there, 18 of those players were invited to the Rider Cup Tournament in New Jersey where Phillips’ team won a tournament featuring 15 different states from the East Coast in June. It was the first time a team from Massachusetts won the Rider Cup in the history of the tournament.

After that it was onto a Regional Camp that more than 400 girls attended last week at the University of Rhode Island. A host of college coaches were on hand to select 31 players for a regional pool. Phillips thought she had a shot at that honor.

But when her named was called as one of three girls selected to the U.S. National Team, Phillips was stunned.

“I couldn’t believe it,” she said of making the national team, which consists of 23 players from across the country, including four goaltenders.

“I never expected to make the national team. It was such a long shot. I knew I played pretty well but to be named to this team is just incredible. I’m still kind of in shock.”

While Phillips was surprised at her nomination to the national team, Jose Isidro was not.

“Ashley is just such a fierce competitor and a great athlete I always thought she had a chance to do something like this,” said Isidro, who coached Phillips on a club team when she was 14 and was her high school coach this past fall at Bishop Fenwick when the Crusaders won the school’s first-ever Division 2 North title and advanced to the EMass. finals.

“I talked to some people who were at the tryout in Rhode Island last week and they said Ashley was just out there smiling and having a good time.

“You would expect most of the girls to be nervous and all serious but that’s Ashley’s personality. She has fun when she’s out on the field and I think that helps her game.”

But don’t misinterpret Phillips’ good nature when she is on the field. As Isidro pointed out, Phillips is a fierce competitor and a big part of her game is intimidation.

“She’s so big and so aggressive she actually scares the other team into mistakes,” said Isidro of Phillips, who was a Catholic Central League and EMass. All-Star this past fall after recording 0.80 goals against average during her team’s 21-1-1 season.

“Her size and strength is uncommon for any soccer goalie, and that includes boys as well.”

Phillips admits that her size has definitely played a major role in her success.

“I’ve always been big and I have learned to use that as an advantage,” said Phillips, who has also been a standout AAU basketball player for the last five years.

“It only makes sense that if you’re a goalie, it helps to have some size. My coaches have taught me to use my size as a weapon.”

Isidro said he is disappointed that Phillips is making the move to Milton Academy, but he supports her decision wholeheartedly.

“I told Ashley to do what she thought was best for her and what would make her happy,” said the coach.

“I hope it works out for her. I know she’ll bring to Milton what she brought to our team. I’ll be rooting for her.”

Phillips, whose ultimate goal is to play Division I soccer in college, said she made the move for two reasons.

First and foremost, she feels that a private boarding school will prepare her better for college life. Secondly, it will be a step up in competition on the soccer field.

“I’ll miss Fenwick and I’ll always remember the great season we had last year,” said Phillips, who earned a 3.2 grade point average while at Fenwick and has already sent out letters to more than 20 college soccer coaches — including Santa Clara, North Carolina, Stanford and Notre Dame — to tour herself.

“But I just think this is the best thing for me right now. I’ll be living at school and academically I’ll be more prepared for college when that time comes. I’m excited about it.”

She is also eager to get to Houston on July 24 to get ready for her national team’s opener against Mexico on Aug. 4.

“It’s going to be an honor to put on a uniform that says ‘USA’ on it,” said Phillips.
“I never thought that soccer would get me to this point. It’s going to be an unbelievable experience. I can’t wait.”