ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – University of New Mexico women’s soccer’s Jennifer Muñoz has returned from her run with the Mexican U20 Women’s National Team, where the Lobo freshman carved out her own niche at the international level. The last month has been a whirlwind in the career of Muñoz, who has gone from an international hopeful to a starter for Mexico’s U20 team. The process started just weeks ago, as the Lobo coaching staff helped put a spotlight on her international potential. Head coach Heather Dyche felt Muñoz, who started 19 matches as a freshman, had earned a chance to compete at the national level. The coaching staff followed up by putting a highlight reel of Muñoz play together. Dyche, a member of the CONCACAF educational board, contacted her connections with the Mexican Football Federation and recommended that Muñoz get an invite to camp. Dyche’s recommendation held weight, as Muñoz was a member of the Mexican U20 camp in a matter of days. “My coaches made of video highlighting my fall season,” said Muñoz. “They sent it in and in a couple days we received an email saying I was invited to the camp. I only had four or five days to pack.” From the moment she was invited to the camp, Muñoz climbed the ladder within the Mexican program faster than any other player. “It was two-a-day sessions and really tiring,” Muñoz stated. “But after the first couple days, they mentioned that I could possibly travel to the United State to play Notre Dame, DePaul and Michigan State. Then on Friday my plane tickets got settled and I found out I was officially traveling with the team.” Muñoz was among 24 invited players to the camp, with the program’s goal of finding talented players for the 2016 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup taking place in Papa New Guinea. But an invite to the camp was not a spot on the roster. Muñoz’s hard work set her aside from the other invitees within a matter of days. “There were a lot of guest players there like me, and none of them had that conversation with the team (regarding traveling),” pointed out Muñoz. “I felt pretty lucky, and it made me want to work harder to get a starting spot on the team. So throughout the week I pushed really hard. It was a moment where I thought, this is what I’ve worked for my whole life and I’m here now. It was really cool.” Over a three week span, Muñoz went from camp invitee, to a possible member of the team, to a starter during the team’s tour of the U.S. Midwest. During that time, Muñoz experienced a new level of hard work expected of players. “They demand much more than you think you can give,” admitted Muñoz. “It pushes you beyond your limits, but being there gives you an extra push to perform well.” Muñoz hard work pushed her into a role as a key piece of the Mexico U20 team. She continues to work hard to maintain her role during upcoming camps over the summer as the program prepares for the U20 World Cup. But back in Albuquerque, Muñoz will be able to use this experience to raise her own game and put an imprint on the Lobo culture. “For next year with Lobo soccer, I feel like I’ll have a bigger impact with helping everyone and pushing everyone the way I’ve been pushed.” For other players, Muñoz experience is a testament to the mantra that great players work harder than really good players. The New Mexico women’s soccer program created an avenue for Muñoz to make an immediate impact internationally, but at no point during the experience did Muñoz settle. Every accomplishment was another reason for her to work harder. “There is always something extra you can do other than practice,” Muñoz stated. “You have to put in the extra work that no one else would put in to make it to this point. You have to keep competing and not stop working.” Check back with GoLobos.com over the summer for continued coverage of Muñoz and all New Mexico women’s soccer news.
Muñoz Returns After Successful Run With Mexico U20 Team
