SAN ANTONIO – UTSA soccer freshman forward Sophie Morrin will join the Republic of Ireland Under-19 National Team this week for training and three international friendlies in Wales and Northern Ireland.
"This is a massive accomplishment and opportunity for Sophie,” sixth-year head coach Derek Pittman said. “She is a very talented athlete and intelligent player. This is a huge compliment to her work ethic and commitment to be the best version of herself. We are very proud of her and appreciate how she represents both Ireland and UTSA Soccer."
With Morrin on board, the Ireland U19s will travel to Wales for friendlies on Sept. 20 and Sept. 22 in Wrexham, before heading to Northern Ireland for a Sept. 24 competition in Belfast. These contests are a prelude to Ireland’s challenging 2023 UEFA Women's Under-19 European Championship campaign later this fall in Belgium.
Hailing from Northwich, England, this is hardly Morrin’s first engagement with the Irish National Team and head coach Dave Connell. Having been an ongoing member of the squad under his tutelage since 2022 while previously appearing for Ireland’s U17s in 2021-22 under coach James Scott and representing Ireland at the U17 UEFA Euros. Back home in England, Morrin played for both the Manchester United Foundation RTC U16 Girls squad in the FA Girls' England Talent Pathway League and went on to captain the Liverpool FC Women U21 squad to the 2023 WSLA Plate.
In her short time as a rookie for the Roadrunners, Morrin has made waves as a standout. She is leading UTSA with three goals netted across nine games and seven starts in the early season. All three of her on-target shots have delivered a score for the Roadrunners, including one game-winning goal. She also sits in a three-way tie for UTSA atop the scoring lists with six points.
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