July 5, 2007

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Stephen F. Austin signee Kelli Barnes has helped lead her club team to the 2007 US Youth Soccer National Championship Tournament. Barnes and the Solar 89 squad earned one of four bids to the national tournament in the Under-18 bracket by winning the regional championship this week.

Barnes, a defender from Allen, Texas, helped guide the Solar 89 squad to a 2-1 win over the Challenge 89 team in the Region III Championship Game. The team will be representing North Texas in the national championship tournament as one of four regional seeds at the U-18 level.

The USYS National Championship Tournament is set for July 24-29, at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas.

"It's nice to see one of our players competing at such a high level," SFA head coach Jaime Frias said. "This experience will certainly benefit Kelli and prepare her for the demands of our pre-season camp. We wish Kelli and her teammates the best of luck at nationals."

-- SFA --