Montverde Academy alumni Shayla Smart '18 and rising senior for the MVA International Football Club Jody Brown have been called to represent the Jamaican National Team at the Pan American Games in Peru from July 26- August 11.
"I love having our players represent their countries and gain valuable experience playing international competition," said MIFC Head Coach Robbie Aristodemo. "Over the years here at Montverde Academy, our program has been fortunate to have players represent their national teams such as Trinidad, Mexico, Brazil, Guatemala, and Jamaica."
In their first game of the Pan American Games, Brown and Smart earned their spot in Jamaica's starting lineup against rival powerhouse Mexico. Smart nearly scored a goal of her own after a close save from Mexico's goalkeeper, Cecilia Santiago. Jamaica went on to lose the game 2-0 but despite the loss, the team looks to bounce back in their match against Columbia on Thursday, August 1, and against Paraguay on Sunday, August 4.
During her time at MVA, Smart scored 52 goals with 21 assists in three years as an Eagle and was awarded Lake County Athlete of the Year as a junior. She was also awarded the MVA MVP trophy while being rated as TopDrawerSoccer's No. 13 athlete in the Florida region.
Jody Brown's accolades speak for themselves. From being the Best Young Player in the CONCACAF at the age of 16 to becoming the first MVA athlete to qualify to the Women's FIFA World Cup, Brown is on her way cement her legacy as one of the most talented female soccer athletes to compete at MVA. Brown also expanded talent beyond the field. At the start of 2019, Brown was awarded the Victoria Mutual Y.O.U.T.H Award which recognizes a young, outstanding, upcoming, and talented headliner. With that award, Brown received a trophy and a cash prize of $150,00.00 in which she donated to the St. Ann Football Association (SAFA) and the Lime Hall School back in her native Jamaica.
After the Pan American Games, Brown will look to finish her final year at MVA while pursuing an opportunity to compete on an NCAA Division I soccer team in 2020. Smart is eager to start on Wake Forest's starting lineup as a sophomore in pursuit of an NCAA Championship.
