ROCKINGHAM – For two Richmond Senior High School soccer players, spring break is off to an international start.
Freshman Caroline Whitley and junior Julia Bornhorst, both current members of the Lady Raiders soccer team, took flight from Charlotte Douglas International Airport Saturday bound for Italy.
The two high schoolers are also members of the Athletic Club of the Sandhills travel soccer program, which is based out of Aberdeen, N.C. Their trip to Italy, which entails both sightseeing and international soccer play, is associated with ACS.
In the works since last fall when both Whitley (17U team) and Bornhorst (18U team) played for ACS, this once-in-a-lifetime adventure was made a reality by 17U head coach Jason Montgomery. ACS is a travel soccer league with that develops players aged four to 18, and both Lady Raiders played during the fall season. Bornhorst has played with ACS for the last four years and doubles up as a midfielder and forward, while Whitley wrapped up her first season as a forward for Montgomery.
“I found out about the trip when I was doing one-on-one training sessions in December,” Bornhorst explained.
“Jason offered (this trip) to us and wanted us to go,” Whitley echoed. “He wanted us to have the opportunity to go to Italy before we graduated.”
The ACS team currently overseas is a combination of several players from various teams within the organization. Upon arrival in Milan on Easter Sunday, Whitley, Bornhorst and their teammates will spend eight days touring and playing soccer in Italy.
On the agenda, the ACS team members will visit the cities of Milan, Florence and Rome, among others, and play three international friendly matches with Italian club teams. As explained by Bornhorst, ACS’ competition will be comprised of Italian high school-aged footballers, and the two clubs will integrate their squads during the friendlies.
“I’m looking forward to playing a different level of soccer,” Whitley expressed. “I’m interested to see the technique of the Italian players compared to ours. Their style puts a lot more focus into their footwork. I want to see how the apply their practice into games.”
“It’ll be cool to experience a new country,” Bornhorst commented. “I think it will be interesting to train and interact with the Italian teams and coaches.”
When they’re not on the pitch against international competition, Whitley and Bornhorst will participate in training sessions and spend time at some of Italy’s most iconic sightseeing destinations. On the docket are the Football Museum and Hall of Fame in Rome, the Vatican City and a tour of San Siro Stadium in Milan. They’ll wrap up their trip by attending a professional match between Fiorentina and Roma at Olympico Stadium in Rome on Saturday.
Both Whitley and Bornhorst expressed their excitement about traveling to Italy, and aren’t taking this opportunity for granted.
“This is such a great opportunity,” Bornhorst said. “My family is going with me, so I get to make memories with them as well as bond with my teammates. Getting to see how they (the Italians) play will help make us better.”
“This trip is an opportunity to help us get our names out there,” Whitley explained. “Our team has all-around good players that can adapt to different styles and techniques. I’m really excited about going.”
For Richmond head coach Bennie Howard, who currently coaches Whitley and Bornhorst in his final season as the program’s head coach, he’s excited for and proud of both players.
“I think this trip is a testament to Caroline and Julia,” Howard stated. “It shows their love for the game of soccer, their willingness to go somewhere else and see how it’s done by other players on the other side of the earth. Italy is a country with high expectations for its soccer players, and for these two to go over there and train and learn new drills and philosophies is great. I’m proud of them.”
The RO Sports department will follow up with Whitley and Bornhorst upon their return from Italy with an exclusive interview.
