Virginia Tech Freshman All-American and All-ACC honoree Marika Gray was officially asked Tuesday to join the U.S. Under-20 Women’s National Soccer Team for its annual training camp, Jan. 19-26. The invitation came from second-year U.S. head coach Jillian Ellis as the squad prepares to open its Women’s World Cup year at The Home Depot Center outside of Los Angeles. Gray, who turns 19 in September, led the Hokies with eight goals and six assists for a total of 22 points, the most recorded by a Hokie since 2004. Marika Gray played for Hayfield Secondary in Fairfax and U19G SYC Galaxy before beginning her career at Virginia Tech last Fall.

She earned four letters with the Hayfield Secondary team ... a three-time first-team all-district and all-region honoree ... She earned all-metro honors as a junior and senior after setting the school record for most goals in a single season ... and named first-team All-Examiner and the Patriot District Player of the Year ... Marika with her club team, the Springfield Youth Club Galaxy, helped to advance to the state cup semi-finals as a senior ... Nominated for the SYC Player of the Year award as a junior ... a district and regional champion in the 4x200 meter relay ... she earned all-district, all-region and all-state honors in track for Hayfield Secondary.