Sports

Chugiak's Cobb back with women's national soccer team

After a two-year hiatus, Kelly Cobb resumed action with the U.S. women's national soccer program Tuesday.

Cobb, a 2011 Chugiak High graduate, is one of 24 players participating in the Under-23 team's third training camp of the year.

The weeklong camp in Seattle is Cobb's first national action since helping Team USA win the FIFA U-20 World Cup title in Japan in 2012. The coach of that team, Steve Swanson, is the new head coach of the U-23 team.

Cobb is the first player from Alaska to make a women's World Cup team at any level. In 2008 and 2009, she was also part of U-18 national team player pool.

The senior national team, which competes in the Olympics and World Cup, is the only level above the U-23 squad in Team USA's program.

Cobb, of Peters Creek, is entering her senior year at Duke University. After a stellar freshman year, injuries plagued Cobb the past two seasons – she collected a combined nine goals and three assists in 34 matches during that time.

Cobb had ankle surgery following her freshman season and knee surgery after her sophomore year.

In 26 matches during her freshman year, Cobb registered 91 shots, 11 goals and 31 points – all Duke freshman records – and helped the Blue Devils finish runner-up in the NCAA tournament.

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