March 25, 2008

KENNESAW, Ga. - Kennesaw State's Maylee Attin-Johnson and Sadjr Williams have been selected to play for the Trinidad & Tobago National Team in the upcoming 2008 CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualification tournament in Cuidad Juarez, Mexico next month.

"I couldn't be more pleased with the selection of Maylee and Sadjr to the Trinidad & Tobago National team," said Kennesaw State head coach Rob King. "This is a great reflection on our program and the young women's talents. Maylee is simply a marquee player and Sadjr is one of their top young defenders and they should both do very well in the tournament."

Both Attin-Johnson and Williams have represented Trinidad & Tobago in recent history. Williams, who just finished her freshman season with the Owls, was a member of the 2006 Women's Gold Cup squad while Attin-Johnson, who will captain this year's T&T team, has played for her country since 2001.

Attin-Johnson, a native of Trinidad & Tobago, played her first game for T&T in 2001 and has registered four hat tricks during her career with the national team. Over her six years with the national team, she has played on the 2006 Women's U-20 Team, the 2004 U-19 team, the 2001 U-19 team and the 2004 and 2002 Women's Senior Squad.

"It is such an honor to be just 21 years old and be able to represent your country," said Attin-Johnson. "It's also a great pleasure to be named captain of our team and to compete against such great teams and players."

Williams, whose father is from Trinidad & Tobago, began her association with the national team when she was 17 years old and also playing sporadically throughout high school. After being an alternate on the 2006 squad, Williams made her debut with the T&T National Team in 2007 in a pre-qualifier against the United States U-21 National Team.

"This is such a big deal for me and my family, said Williams. "I really was surprised to even be considered for a spot on the team even though I know that I won't get the true effect until I step on the field in Mexico."

The duo, who played together for the first time last season and helped Kennesaw State to its first NCAA tournament bid and the Atlantic Sun Conference regular season and tournament championship, will suit up together for the first time as countrymen in what hopes to the first ever Olympic berth for Trinidad & Tobago.

"We have some talented players on our squad and Sadjr is one of them," said Attin-Johnson. "She is a great player with a tremendous amount of talent and I can't wait for us to play together. We have a young team, but I am confident that we can play well and compete with the top countries in this tournament."

Williams and Attin-Johnson will leave spring training with the Owls to fly to Mexico this week with the tournament beginning on April 2 with a pool-play match against Canada. The final game of the first round will be on April 4 when T&T plays Costa Rica. The semifinals will be played on April 9 with the finals played on Saturday, April 12 at Estadio Olimpico Benito Juarez.

The duo could be back on campus for the Owls international friendly match against the Mexico U-20 National team on April 11 at the KSU Soccer Complex.