Telford named captain of England's U-19 team

FAYETTEVILLE – University of Arkansas Lady Razorback soccer signee Carly Telford was named captain of England’s under 19 national team for matches against Poland, Arkansas head coach Gordon Henderson announced Tuesday.

A prodigy from Stanley, England, the 17-year-old Telford is a standout player for Sunderland of the Women’s Premier League’s Northern Division. Despite her youth, she has already played for England’s U-21 squad.

“In Carly, we’ve got someone who is going to raise the standard of goalkeeping at the University of Arkansas,” Lady Razorback assistant coach and goalkeeper’s coach Steve Oliver said. “We look for her to come in and while here be involved with the full England squad which means that she could play in the 2006 World Cup.”

Recently capped for the U-21 team in a friendly, Telford’s prowess as a goalkeeper has her on the fast track to the full national team. Her journey to that goal continues in a few weeks when she leads her squad at the UEFA Championships in England.

One of the consistent players in the Premier League, Telford has been rock solid in goal and has already assisted her club to a northern division championship with three matches to play and has accumulated a 17-3-2 overall record. Over the course of the 22-game season, she has allowed just 26 goals for a goals against average just over 1.00 and procured nine shutouts. With Telford in net, Sunderland in undefeated in its last 10 matches dating back to mid-November 2004.

Telford brings her talents to Arkansas in August when she reports to camp for Arkansas head coach Gordon Henderson as the Lady’Backs seek to improve on an excellent 2004 campaign.