It is one of the most prestigious and highest honors that a female soccer player in the country can earn. It is also an honor which no one in Lebanon County has ever earned.

But it is one that Haleigh Echard richly deserved.

Echard, a senior to be at Cedar Crest High School, was recently invited to try out for the United States under-18 women’s national soccer team. Echard, 16, is one of 24 girls from across the nation selected to a training camp for the under-20 team which will represent the United States at the 2016 World Cup.

Echard flew to Carson, California for the week-long camp from August 3rd through the 11th. Earlier this summer, Echard committed to taking her academic skills and soccer talents to Division One Pennsylvania State University.

Last fall, Echard led the Falcons to their first-ever Lancaster-Lebanon League championship, as well as a rare appearance in the District Three Class AAA postseason tournament. She heads a strong CCHS class of 2014 which will make the Falcons contenders for both titles again this fall.

Echard is a rare talent. With her quick first step and speed, she possesses the ability to blow by defenders with ease, and her great peripheral vision allows her to see the entire field and find teammates who don’t appear to be open to the untrained eye.

– Jeff Falk